Estimating impact of property on individual health - property health advice

ABSTRACT

Embodiment of the invention provide a method for generating a dynamic recommendation based on changes in environment around a property area. The method comprises acquiring property data associated with a property area from a data source, and extracting a first property attribute data from the property data acquired. The first property attribute data extracted is used to determine presence or movement of a first pollutant data within the property area. The method further comprises monitoring environmental context of the property area, detecting a change affecting the environmental context of the property area, wherein the detected change impacts the presence or the movement of the first pollutant data within the property area, and providing a recommendation for reducing the impact of the detected change.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/015,322, filed on Jun. 20, 2014, incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to estimating impact of aproperty on health of an individual, and more particularly, to a system,method and computer program product for correlating health andsensitivities of an individual (e.g., an occupant of the property) withphysical design and attributes of a property, local weather and airquality so as to provide the individual an ongoing assessment of degreeof health risk the property may have on the health of the individual.

Conventionally, a property is physically inspected to determine thestructural integrity of the property. Current inspection protocols,however, do not factor in personal health sensitivities or impacts of acurrent/prospective owner/occupant of the property and data particularto the building of the property (e.g., building practices, buildingmaterials, design of the property, geographical location, ventilationsystem, etc.) to determine the potential impact the property may have onthe health of the owner/occupant. A current/prospective owner/occupantof a property may need to retain the additional services of a qualifiedproperty inspector to physically inspect the property and assesspotential health-related issues that may arise as a result of occupyingthe property. The assessment provided by the property inspector,however, may be biased, limited due to lack of sufficient data, andsusceptible to human error. Further, retaining the services of theproperty inspector may be costly.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating adynamic recommendation based on changes in environment around a propertyarea. The method comprises acquiring property data associated with aproperty area from a data source, and extracting a first propertyattribute data from the property data acquired. The first propertyattribute data extracted is used to determine presence or movement of afirst pollutant data within the property area. The method furthercomprises monitoring environmental context of the property area,detecting a change affecting the environmental context of the propertyarea, wherein the detected change impacts the presence or the movementof the first pollutant data within the property area, and providing arecommendation for reducing the impact of the detected change.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the centralized computing environment 200 in detail,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of different question banks 265 maintainedby the computing environment 200, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of different question banks 265maintained by the computing environment 200, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example property score application 420, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example process 600 for obtaining information usedin determining a property score for a property, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example algorithm 425 applied by the scorecalculator unit 421 to determine a property score for a property, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example webpage 710, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example webpage 700 generated in response toreceiving a property address, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example personal profile application 430, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example process 610 for obtaining informationused in creating a personal profile for a user, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example property match application 440, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example process 620 for obtaining informationused in determining a property match score, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example algorithm 443 applied by the propertymatch calculator unit 441 to determine a property match score, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example property health advice application 450,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example health insurance correlation application460, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates an example algorithm 465 applied by the correlationunit 461 to determine health insurance correlations, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates an example crowdsourcing application 470, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates an example contractor recommendation application480, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates an example virtual inspection application 490, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates an example investment risk application 800, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates an example investment risk comparison report, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 23 is a high level block diagram showing an information processingsystem useful for implementing an embodiment of the present invention.

The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of theinvention together with advantages and features, by way of example withreference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to estimating impact of aproperty on health of an individual, and more particularly, to a system,method and computer program product for correlating health andsensitivities of an individual (e.g., an occupant of the property) withphysical design and attributes of a property, local weather and airquality so as to provide the individual an ongoing assessment of degreeof health risk the property may have on the health of the individual.

One embodiment of the invention provides a method for generating adynamic recommendation based on changes in environment around a propertyarea. The method comprises acquiring property data associated with aproperty area from a data source, and extracting a first propertyattribute data from the property data acquired. The first propertyattribute data extracted is used to determine presence or movement of afirst pollutant data within the property area. The method furthercomprises monitoring environmental context of the property area,detecting a change affecting the environmental context of the propertyarea, wherein the detected change impacts the presence or the movementof the first pollutant data within the property area, and providing arecommendation for reducing the impact of the detected change.

In this specification, the terms “property” and “property area” aregenerally used to reference all synonyms of different types of spaces,areas and dwellings intended for occupancy, whether commercial orresidential, single or multi-family, individual structures or tractdevelopments governed by homeowners association (HOA) covenance,currently existing, under construction or proposed. Examples ofproperties/property areas may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: a house, a dwelling, a mobile home, a set of houses, ahousing development, a suburb, a town, a city, a state, a country, anapartment building composed of multiple units, an estate, housing stock,a set of houses within an enclosed geographic area, a set of houses thatare separated by significant space, a city block, a building, a propertyapproved for inhabitation, a set of houses that share a commoncharacteristic, such as a peaked roof, a site of a future house, sitesof future houses, a construction site for a house or multiple houses,track houses, custom homes, all houses within a given region, ahouseboat, a physical space that currently contains one or more houses,covenance controlled groupings or developments (e.g., groupings ordevelopments governed by HOA covenance), and housing stock owned,controlled and/or managed by a government, a property management group,a developer or a builder. The terms “property” and “property area” areused interchangeably in this specification.

In this specification, the term “user” is generally used to reference anindividual or an entity. Examples of users include, but are not limitedto, the following: may be a current owner of a property, a prospectiveowner of a property, an occupant of a property (e.g., a tenant), anindividual who is present on a property for work/educational purposes(e.g., an employee of a business operating on a property, a student of aschool operating on a property), a patron of a business operating on aproperty (e.g., a hotel guest, a restaurant guest), etc. The terms“individual” and “user” are used interchangeably in this specification.

In this specification, the term “pollutants” is generally used toreference materials that may negatively impact/harm an environment andhealth of an individual. Pollutants may originate in an indoorenvironment or an outdoor environment. There may be different types ofpollutants, such as chemical pollutants, biological pollutants, andtoxic pollutants. Examples of different chemical pollutants, biologicalpollutants and toxic pollutants may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: pathogens (e.g., infectious agents such as bacteria, virus,fungi, etc.), irritants (e.g., chemicals that are not corrosive to humantissue and whose effects are reversible), poison (e.g., substances withan inherent property that may destroy human life or impair humanhealth), toxin (e.g., a poison produced by an organism), allergens,gases, chemicals, pollen, jet fuel, freeway emissions, dust mites, dustmite by products, dampness, molds, mycotoxins, chemicals, bacteria,yeast, micro biome imbalances, excess particulate, ozone imbalances,Volatile Organic Compounds, Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds,Semi-volatile Organic Compounds, lead paint, asbestos, microfibers, etc.

In this specification, the term “indoor air” is generally used toreference interior air of a property that is inhalable or in contactwith skin of an individual.

In this specification, the term “indoor air quality” is generally usedto reference total presence and interaction of components of indoor air.Examples of components that may impact indoor air quality may include,but are not limited to, the following: indoor pollution, fresh airsupply, temperature, and humidity that influences a human body's abilityto establish and maintain homeostasis.

In this specification, the term “homeostasis” is generally used toreference ability or tendency of an individual to maintain internalstability and functioning to compensate for environmental changes. Anexample of homeostasis is a human body maintaining an averagetemperature of 98.6 degrees F. in extreme heat or cold. Another exampleof homeostasis is a human body rebalancing functioning when exposed topollutants.

In this specification, the term “health” is generally used to referencecomparative effects and ability to function resulting from a humanbody's ability to establish and maintain homeostasis within extremes ofillness and thriving.

In this specification, the terms “illness” and “disease” are generallyused to reference when a human body fails to achieve a reasonablyfunctional state of homeostasis.

In this specification, the term “individual health and sensitivities” isgenerally used to reference specific attributes experienced by anindividual, such as individual susceptibilities and impacts to differentpotential illness and disease outcomes that may affect the health of theindividual.

In this specification, the terms “health risk” and “risk assessment ofhealth” is generally used to reference estimated/predicted negativeimpact on health of an individual.

In this specification, the term “health index” is generally used toreference an assessment of degree of health risk on health of theindividual.

Embodiments of the invention correlate symptomology and sensitivities ofa user with physical design and attributes of a property, local weatherand air quality so as to provide the user an ongoing assessment ofdegree of health risk the property may have on the health of the user.Embodiments of the invention allow for expression of the idea thatpresence and/or combination of physical design and attributes of aproperty is analogous to DNA. Further, physical design and attributes ofa property when combined with environmental context information relatingto the property (e.g., local weather and air quality) may be used toprovide an ongoing assessment of degree of health risk the property mayhave on the health of the user.

Embodiments of the invention provide a comparatively low-cost solutionfor objectively and digitally determining potential impact a propertymay have on health of an individual (e.g., current/prospective occupantof the property).

In this specification, the term “property attributes” is generally usedto reference different physical and geographical characteristics of aproperty (e.g., physical design and attributes, local weather, airquality, etc.).

Embodiments of the invention correlate different property attributeswith different individual susceptibilities and impacts to differentpotential illness and disease outcomes that may affect the health of anindividual.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The system 100 comprises a centralizedcomputing environment 200 including one or more server devices 210, andone or more storage devices 220. The storage devices 220 may maintainone or more databases 260. One or more applications 410 (FIG. 2) mayexecute/operate on the server devices 210 to provide one or more online,virtual tools relating to a property area.

A user may access an online, virtual tool provided by the computingenvironment 200 using an electronic user client device 299, such as apersonal computer, or a mobile device (e.g., a laptop computer, atablet, a mobile phone, etc.). In one embodiment, each user clientdevice 299 exchanges data with the computing environment 200 over aconnection (e.g., a wireless connection, a wired connection, or acombination of the two).

As described in detail later herein, the computing environment 200 isconfigured to acquire property data for a property from one or more datasources, such as third-party data sources 120 or a user. Property datafor a property may include, but is not limited to, the following:climate data about environment around the property, public data aboutthe property and its construction (e.g., age of property, averageprecipitation in the environment around the property, whether theproperty is located in an urban area, last major construction of theproperty, age of roof of the property), image data 110 (FIG. 2) for theproperty, and user input 111 (e.g., user responses to questions relatingto the property, user feedback).

FIG. 2 illustrates the centralized computing environment 200 in detail,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The centralizedcomputing environment further comprises a data acquisition unit 245configured to acquire property data for a property from different typesof third-party data sources 120 (FIG. 1), such as a property listingsdata source 121 (e.g., a property listing database (MLS, Redfin,Zillow), a climate data source 122 providing climate data aboutenvironment around the property (e.g., climate data from AmericanSociety of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers(ASHRAE), climate zone maps from Department of Energy (DOE), etc.), anda location data source 123. Other types of third-party data sources 120may include data sources providing data about the property and itsconstruction, geophysical data, proximity data, proxy data, contractordata, disclosure data, and model data for modeling/projecting factorsused by one or more applications 410 executing/operating on the serverdevices 210. Property data for a property may include raw actual dataand/or statistical data.

In one embodiment, the data acquisition unit 245 is configured tointerface with web service interfaces of third-party data sources 120(e.g., Google Maps via Google Maps API, Bing and other similar webservices) to acquire/download data from the third-party data sources120.

In one embodiment, the storage devices 220 (FIG. 1) maintains at leastone database 260 including a collection 261 of datasets 262 of propertyattributes for different property addresses located across differentgeographical locations (e.g., nationwide). As described in detail laterherein, the computing environment 200 is configured to acquire propertydata for different properties located across different geographicallocations (e.g., nationwide) from multiple data sources, such asthird-party data sources 120. Relevant data used in determining propertyattributes may be extracted from the property data acquired. Anyrelevant data extracted may be processed and/or transformed fordetermining property attributes, and may be maintained in the storagedevices 220, in compliance with third party agreements, if any.

In one embodiment, the data acquisition unit 245 is configured todetermine property attributes based on property data acquired from oneor more data sources, such as third-party data sources 120 or a user.For example, for a particular property, the data acquisition unit 245may acquire raw actual data associated with the property from one ormore third-party data sources 120. The data acquisition unit 245 mayalso acquire statistical data associated with the property and/orgeographical location of the property from one or more third-party datasources 120. The data acquisition unit 245 may also acquire other typesof data associated with the property from other types of data sources.The data acquisition unit 245 may extract disparate heterogeneousproperty attributes from the raw actual data and/or the statistical dataacquired, and maintain a dataset 262 of property attributes for theproperty in at least one database 260.

In one embodiment, a dataset 262 of property attributes for a propertymay include the following physical and geographical characteristics: acorresponding property address (i.e., physical address), correspondinglatitude and longitude of the property, age of the property, climatedata from its nearest point source (e.g., temperature ranges,precipitation data, and relative humidity data from climate datacorresponding to a city in which the property is located), number ofbedrooms, internal wall type, external wall type, airconditioning/cooling type, heating type, roof type, basement type, floortype covering, pollen data, etc.

In one embodiment, the computing environment 200 further comprises animage processing unit 411 configured to process image data 110 acquiredby the data acquisition unit 245 from a third-party data source 120(e.g., Google Maps, Redfin, Zillow or other similar web services) or auser (e.g., images/photos uploaded by a user and captured via an imagecapture device). The image processing unit 411 may comprise a machinelearning classifier that is trained to recognize specific propertyattributes for a property based on image data 110 for the property.Image data 110 for a property may include one or more images and/or oneor more videos capturing one or more areas of the property and/orenvironment around the property.

In one embodiment, the image processing unit 411 may utilize specializeddetection techniques on image data 110 for a property for determiningpresence of a peaked roof on the property, presence of a basement on theproperty, external wall type of the property, and volume of theproperty.

In one embodiment, the image processing unit 411 may utilize specializeddetection techniques on image data 110 for a property for evaluatingtopography to determine if water flows away from or towards theproperty.

In one embodiment, the image processing unit 411 computes an approximatevolume of a property based on a plan map view and a street map viewincluded in image data 110 for the property. The image processing unit411 may utilize specialized detection techniques on the image data 110for determining a length, a width and a height of the property. Theimage data analysis/processing unit 411 then computes the approximatevolume of the property as the product of the length, the width and theheight of the property.

In one embodiment, the computing environment 200 maintains a collection270 of different climate groups 275. A climate group 275 may represent aparticular climate zone (e.g., hot-humid, hot-dry, cold, frigid,moderate, mixed, etc.). As described in detail later herein, a propertyaddress associated with a property may be classified in a particularclimate group 275 of the collection 270 based on property attributes forthe property.

In one embodiment, utilizing the data acquisition unit 245 and the imageprocessing unit 411, the computing environment 200 is configured toacquire property data, determine property attributes based on theproperty data, and correlate the property attributes on a per propertyaddress basis nationwide. For example, the computing environment 200 mayoperate in accordance with Steps 1-15 provided below:

Step 1: For each city, for each street (in alphabetical order), extracta property address in numerical sequence.

Step 2: Using the property address, acquire raw actual data for aproperty associated with the property address from a third party datasource 120, such as a property listings database 121. Determine propertyattributes based on the raw actual data acquired. The propertyattributes determined may include latitude and longitude of theproperty, age of the property, number of bedrooms within the property,internal wall type of the property, air conditioning/cooling type of theproperty, heating type of the property, and floor covering type of theproperty.

Step 3: If raw actual data for the property is not available from athird party data source 120, determine property attributes for theproperty based on statistical data acquired from a third party datasource 120.

Step 4: Acquire a plan map view of the property from a third-party datasource 120 (e.g., Google Maps, Redfin, Zillow or other similar webservices).

Step 5: Determine a length and a width of the property based on the planmap view.

Step 6: Acquire a street map view of the property from a third-partydata source 120 (e.g., Google Maps, Redfin, Zillow or other similar webservices).

Step 7: Identify the property in the street view using specializeddetection techniques.

Step 8: Determine a height of the property using specialized detectiontechniques.

Step 9: Compute an approximate volume of the property based on thelength, the width and the height of the property.

Step 10: Use specialized detection techniques to determine whether theproperty has a peaked roof or a flat roof.

Step 11: Use specialized detection techniques to determine whether theproperty has a basement. In the event that the specialized detectiontechniques used are unsuccessful, use brute force pixel sequenceevaluation to detect pattern variations.

Step 12: Use specialized detection techniques to determine external walltype of the property. In the event that the specialized detectiontechniques are unsuccessful, use brute force pixel sequence evaluationto detect pattern variations.

Step 13: Acquire climate data for a geographical location/area in whichthe property address is located from a third-party data source 120(e.g., a climate data source 122). Extract temperature ranges,precipitation data, and relative humidity data from the climate data.

Step 14: Determine which climate group 275 the property address shouldbe classified in based on the temperature ranges, the precipitationdata, and the relative humidity data.

Step 15: Store all the different property attributes computed/determinedfor the property address in the database 260.

In one embodiment, a property attribute maintained in the database 260may be assigned a default value or a range of default values if dataspecific to that property attribute is unavailable.

As stated above, one or more applications 410 may execute/operate on theserver devices 210 (FIG. 1) to provide one or more online, virtual toolsrelating a property area. In one embodiment, the computing environment200 further comprises a website generator 290 configured to generate oneor more websites 295 for the online, virtual tools. A user may access awebsite 295 via a user client device 299.

In one embodiment, the computing environment 200 further comprises acollection 264 of different question banks 265. Each question bank 265maintains a specific set of questions for obtaining, from a user,additional data that is not available from a third-party data source120. As described in detail later herein, an application 410 may selectwhich questions from the questions banks 265 to query a user with. Theselected questions may be presented/displayed to the user on a website295. All user input 111 entered by the user via the website 295 inresponse to the questions presented may be collected and maintained inat least one database 260. As described in detail later herein, one ormore applications 410 operating on the server devices 210 may analyzeuser input 111 for purposes of customization or refinement.

In one embodiment, the computing environment 200 may receive differentuser inputs 111 comprising different user feedback relating to use ofdifferent building materials and/or different building assemblies inconstruction projects for different property areas. A user (e.g., abuilder, a developer, an architect, etc.) may enter user feedback via awebsite 295. User feedback may indicate success or failure of usingparticular building materials and/or particular building assemblies inparticular property areas. All user feedback is collected and maintainedin a building assemblies feedback database 900. The database 900represents a vast data source on different building materials and/ordifferent building assemblies. As described in detail later herein, oneor more applications 410 operating on the server devices 210 may use thedatabase 900 in determining which building materials and/or buildingassemblies are unsuitable for specific climates that are susceptible tomoisture and/or pollutant accumulation. As another example, one or moreapplications 410 operating on the server devices 210 may also use thedatabase 900 in determining which building materials and/or buildingassemblies are suitable for specific climates that are susceptible tomoisture and/or pollutant accumulation.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of different question banks 265 maintainedby the computing environment 200, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention. The question banks 265 may include, but are not limitedto, the following: a question bank 265A comprising one or more questionsinquiring about property attributes of a property (“property attributesquestions”; see examples of property attributes questions shown in FIG.3), a question bank 265B comprising one or more questions inquiringabout surroundings around a property (“proximity questions”; seeexamples of proximity questions shown in FIG. 3), a question bank 265Ccomprising one or more questions inquiring about pets located at aproperty (“pet questions”; see examples of pet questions shown in FIG.3), and a question bank 265D comprising one or more questions inquiringabout particular user behaviors specific to a property (“user behavioralquestions”; see examples of user behavioral questions shown in FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of different question banks 265maintained by the computing environment 200, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The question banks 265 may include, but arenot limited to, the following: a question bank 265E comprising one ormore questions for querying a user about his/her personal motivationsand goals (“personal motivations and goals questions”; see examples ofpersonal motivations and goals questions shown in FIG. 4), a questionbank 265F comprising one or more questions for querying a user abouthis/her general sensitivities to certain triggers (“initial screeningquestions”; see examples of initial screening questions shown in FIG.4), a question bank 265G comprising one or more threshold questions forquerying a user about his/her threshold limits with regards to exposureto certain triggers (“threshold questions”; see examples of thresholdquestions shown in FIG. 4), a question bank 265H comprising one or morequestions for querying a user about his/her sensitivities to certaintriggers (“sensitivity questions”; see examples of sensitivity questionsshown in FIG. 4), a question bank 265I comprising one or more questionsfor querying a user about symptoms experienced by the user (“symptomsquestions”; see examples of symptoms questions shown in FIG. 4), aquestion bank 265J comprising one or more questions for querying a userabout potential masking effects (i.e., impact lifestyle and previousexposures the user has experienced) (“masking questions”; see examplesof masking questions shown in FIG. 4), a question bank 265K comprisingone or more questions for querying a user about impact a property hashad on the user (“personal impact questions”; see examples of personalimpact questions shown in FIG. 4), and a question bank 265L comprisingone or more questions for querying user feedback and assessment withrespect to any recommendations generated by the computing environment200 (“feedback and assessment questions”; see examples of feedback andassessment questions shown in FIG. 4).

In one embodiment, some questions maintained in one question bank 265may overlap with some questions maintained in another question bank 265.

A response to a question may be provided in different manners. Forexample, in response to a question requiring a “yes” or “no” answer, auser may respond to the question by indicating either “yes” or “no”. Asanother example, in response to a question requiring a user to selectone or more checkboxes representing suggested answers, a user mayrespond to the question by selecting one or more of the checkboxes. Asanother example, in response to a question where the answer may fallwithin a range of values, a user may respond to the question bypositioning a slider along a sliding scale to a particular value in therange. As another example, a user may respond to a question by enteringfree form text (e.g., entering text in an input comment box).

Property Score Application

In this specification, the term “property score” represents a healthindex for the property, its immediate environments, and physical andgeographical characteristics associated with the property. A propertyscore for a property may be used to predict presence of factors (e.g.,presence of bacteria, virus, mold, pollen, dust mites, pet dander,chemicals and other pollutants) at the property that may contribute toillnesses and diseases, and that may negatively impact health of anindividual. A property score may be represented using a number grade, apercentage grade, a letter grade, etc. In one embodiment, the propertyscore may be a numerical grade that ranges anywhere between a minimum of1 and a maximum of 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example property score application 420, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, oneof the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is a property score application 420. The propertyscore application 420 comprises a property score calculator unit 421configured to determine a property score for a property based onproperty attributes for the property. The property score may be storedin the database 260 together with a dataset 262 including the propertyattributes for the property.

In one embodiment, a property score for a property may represent abilityfor pollutants to develop and move within the property. For eachpossible type of pollutant, the property score calculator unit 421 isconfigured to identify certain physical and/or geographicalcharacteristics of the property that may increase or decrease presenceand/or movement of the pollutant. The property score calculator unit 421utilizes an algorithm to determine potential impact (i.e., severity) acombination of pollutants may have upon health of an individual.

The property score calculator unit 421 is configured to analyze inputdata acquired from different data sources such as, but not limited to,public data from third-party data sources 120, data from crowdsourcing,user input from users, sensor data from property sensors, and internaldatabases. As described in detail later herein, based on input data, theproperty score calculator unit 421 computes initial, dynamicallyinter-related factors/indexes used in determining a property score.

In one embodiment, the property score application 420 comprises aproperty score report unit 423 for generating a property score reportthat includes a property score for a property. A property score reportincluding a property score for a property provides an indication of whenan imbalance in the property exists. The property score report may alsoinclude one or more recommendations, such as remediation actions and/orinterventions for a user (e.g., occupant of the property) to take toimprove the property score. Information contained in the variousfactors/indexes contributing to the property score can provide guidanceas to what actions and/or interventions are most appropriate. A newproperty score for the property may be determined after the userperforms the remediation actions and/or improvements recommended toprovide verification of effective and sufficient improvement.

A property score report may be presented to a user via a website 295.

The property score report may also suggest one or more remediationactions and/or interventions for a user to take.

In this specification, the term “prevalence” is used to denote frequencyof a particular attribute, factor or index. For example, if theprevalence of refrigeration-type air conditioners is ten times more thanthe prevalence of evaporative-type air coolers, the influence ofevaporative-type air coolers on a property score will be less than theinfluence of refrigeration-type air conditioners on the property score.

In this specification, the term “weighting” is used to denote acomparative contribution of a particular attribute, factor or index. Forexample, if the impact of evaporative-type air coolers, when present, onan indoor environment is ten times more than the impact ofrefrigeration-type air conditioners, the influence of evaporative-typeair coolers on a property score will be more than the influence ofrefrigeration-type air conditioners on the property score.

In one embodiment, the property score application 420 comprises aweightings unit 422. The weightings units 422 comprises, but is notlimited to, the following: (a) different weighting values for differentattributes, factors or indexes, (b) different prevalence values fordifferent attributes, factors or indexes, and (c) data representinginterrelationships between different attributes, factors or indexes. Forexample, a property attribute may have a corresponding weighting valueand a corresponding prevalence value, wherein the combination of theweighting value and the prevalence value represents how much theproperty attribute is likely to influence a property score for aproperty.

In one embodiment, a weighting value and/or a prevalence value may bepre-defined or determined based on data correlations. The datacorrelations may be learned through application of a machine learningalgorithm, survey data and/or analysis of experts/professionals. Thedata correlations may be determined based on different data sets, suchas property attributes for the property, factors/indexes used indetermining the property score for the property, personal profiles,health insurance recommendations, health records, virtual inspections ofthe property, personal action plans, expert judgment, survey results,user responses to questions, user actions, user feedback indicatingresults of performing recommended remediation actions and/orinterventions, etc. These different datasets may also be used torefine/adjust one or more of the weighting values and/or a prevalencevalues maintained.

An amplification factor for a particular attribute/factor/indexrepresents a combination of prevalence and weighting for the particularattribute/factor/index. Amplification factors are determined based oncombinations of data correlations determined from machine learningalgorithms, large dataset surveys, and expert judgment. An amplificationfactor for a particular attribute/factor/index modifies the particularattribute/factor/index to more accurately reflect a true influence ofthe particular attribute/factor/index on a property score, therebyimproving accuracy and utility of the property score. For example, ifthe prevalence of refrigeration-type air conditioners is ten times morethan the prevalence of evaporative-type air coolers, but the impact ofevaporative-type air coolers, when present, on indoor environment is tentimes more than the impact of refrigeration-type air conditioners,evaporative-type air coolers have low prevalence and high weightingvalues. As such, the influence of evaporative-type air coolers on aproperty score will only be significant if evaporative-type air coolersare present.

In one embodiment, the property score application 420 may acquireproperty data for a property from a user by presenting one or morequestions via a website 295. Specifically, the property scoreapplication 420 comprises an adaptive question selection unit 424 foradaptively selecting questions from the collection 264 based on propertydata for a property (e.g., climate data about the environment around theproperty, public data about the property and its construction, and userinput, if any). If, at any point during the presentation of the selectedquestions, user responses seem contradictory or mis-entered, theadaptive question selection unit 424 runs a related education module andthen repeats or rephrases the selected questions. Questions selected andpresented to a user are dynamically selected based on prior userinteractions (e.g., prior user responses). Even if user input is notavailable, the property score calculator unit 421 may still determine aproperty score for the property based on property data acquired fromother data sources, such as a third-party data source 120.

In one embodiment, a property score for a property maintained in thedatabase 260 is updated when updated/additional property attributes forthe property are determined. For example, property attributes maintainedin the database 260 may be refreshed on a cyclic basis to ensure thatthe most current property attributes are available when determining aproperty score. The frequency/cycle at which a particular propertyattribute within the database 260 is refreshed is based on the nature ofthe property attribute. For example, climate-related property attributesmay be refreshed annually, whereas property attributes representingphysical characteristics may be refreshed every five years. In theinstance where a particular property attribute used in calculating afactor/index corresponding to a pollutant is generated by a third-partydata source 120, the property attribute will be updated uponnotification from the third-party data source 120 of significant changesto the attribute. The refresh of property attributes will utilize thesame methods of data acquisition as performed by the data acquisitionunit 245. When property attributes for a property are refreshed, a newproperty score for the property is determined and stored in the database260.

In one embodiment, the property score application 420extracts/determines a property attribute data (e.g., pattern relating toa property attribute) from property data associated with a propertyarea. The property score application 420 combines the property attributedata with at least one other property attribute data to determinepresence or movement of a pollutant data (e.g., pattern relating to apollutant) within the property area. The property score application 420determines a potential impact data (e.g., pattern relating to personalimpact) that the pollutant data may have on individual health based inpart on the combination, and computes a property score representing ahealth index of the property area based in part on the potential impactdata.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 determines aproperty score for a property based on the following factors/indexes: ahome structural attributes index for the property, an indoor chemicalindex for the property, an indoor particle index for the property, anindoor pet index for the property, an indoor dampness index for theproperty, an indoor cavity index for the property, an outdoor pollutantindex for the property, an outdoor environmental index for the property,an air movement index for the property, an indoor biological activityindex for the property, an indoor mold index for the property, andamplification factors for the indexes.

In this specification, the term “total burden” represents a weightedcalculation of total exposure an individual can be exposed to beforemoving to a higher level of sensitivity. This is largely determined bythe individual's overall sensitivity levels. Sensitivity levels, whenappearing in certain combination, are correlated to significantly lowerthresholds and higher impacts for various specific trigger items. When aburden that an individual is exposed to is too high, the individual'soverall sensitivities rise. The property score application 420 adjustsby lowering thresholds and raising impact scores accordingly based ondata and prior data correlations determined.

For example, if property attributes for a property and/or user responsesto questions indicate presence data points relating to an indoor petindex, a property score for the property will be nominally impacted bythe indoor pet index. However, if the property attributes and/or theuser responses also indicate simultaneous presence of data pointsrelating to a significant/high outdoor pollutant index, indoor chemicalindex, biological activity index, and air movement index, thiscombination of indexes may substantially enhance the impact of theindoor pet index on the property score, as well as severity of theoutdoor pollutant index, indoor chemical index, indoor biologicalactivity index and air movement index on the property score.

The higher a total burden, the more frequently and the more strongly anindividual will react to particular triggers of the property thatimpacts the individual. A property score report generated for a propertymay suggest one or more remediation actions and/or interventions forreducing a total burden to reduce any impact the property may have on anindividual.

In one embodiment, there may be different total burdens for differentfactors/indexes. A total burden for a particular factor/index may beused to amplify the factor/index, where necessary.

As described in detail later herein, a factor/index may contribute as anamplification factor for another factor/index.

In one embodiment, for each factor/index, the property score calculatorunit 421 determines a projected accuracy rating based on number of datapoints used in computing the factor/index and amplification factors forthe factor/index.

Table 1 provided below comprises a listing identifying differentparameters referenced in this specification.

TABLE 1 Abbreviation Definition Property_Score Property score for aproperty IMI Indoor mold index (IMI) IMI_Raw Raw IMI IMI_AmplificationAmplification factors for IMI IMI_TotalBurden Total burden for IMI OPIOutdoor pollutant index (OPI) OPI_Raw Raw OPI OPI_AmplificationAmplification factors for OPI OPI_TotalBurden Total burden for OPI ICIIndoor chemical index (ICI) ICI_Raw Raw ICI ICI_AmplificationAmplification factors for ICI ICI_TotalBurden Total burden for ICI IBAIIndoor biological activity index (IBAI) IBAI_Raw Raw IBAIIBAI_Amplification Amplification factors for IBAI IBAI_TotalBurden Totalburden for IBAI IPETI Indoor pet index (IPETI) IPETI_Raw Raw IPETIIPETI_Amplification Amplification factors for IPETI IPETI_TotalBurdenTotal burden for IPETI HSAI Home structural attributes index (HSAI)HSAI_Raw Raw HSAI HSAI_Amplification Amplification factors for HSAIHSAI_TotalBurden Total burden for HSAI IPI Indoor particle index (IPI)IPI_Raw Raw IPI IPI_Amplification Amplification factors for IPIIPI_TotalBurden Total burden for IPI IDI Indoor dampness index (IDI)IDI_Raw Raw IDI IDI_Amplification Amplification factors for IDIIDI_TotalBurden Total burden for IDI ICAVI Indoor cavity index (ICAVI)ICAVI_Raw Raw ICAVI ICAVI_Amplification Amplification factors for ICAVIICAVI_TotalBurden Total burden for ICAVI OEI Outdoor environmental index(OEI) OEI_Raw Raw OEI OEI_Amplification Amplification factors for OEIOEI_TotalBurden Total burden for OEI AMI Air movement index (AMI)AMI_Raw Raw AMI AMI_Amplification Amplification factors for AMIAMI_TotalBurden Total burden for AMI

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes aproperty score for a property in accordance with the equation (1)provided below:

Property_Score=HSAI+ICI+IPI+IPI+IPETI+IDI+ICAVI+OPI+OEI+AMI+IBAI+IMI  (1).

Indoor Mold Index

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 determines anindoor mold index for a property by analyzing property data for theproperty (e.g., a dataset 262 comprising property attributes for theproperty, user responses to questions relating to the property, etc.) toidentify data points that indicate potential mold presence in theproperty. Examples of data points that indicate potential mold presencein the property may include, but are not limited to, the following: (a)water-related events, such as recent events affecting the property(e.g., leaks or floods), high dampness, and high number of wet drycycles per year in geographical area of the property, and (b) conditionssignaling poor maintenance of the property, such as old roofing, brokendownspouts, unkempt gutters, and old ducting. Examples of data pointsthat indicate potential amplifications factors for the indoor mold indexfor the property may include, but are not limited to, the following:high dampness, high number of wet dry cycles per year in geographicalarea of the property, and presence of numerous cavities in the property.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor mold index (IMI) for a property in accordance with equation (2)provided below:

IMI=IMI_Raw×IMI_Amplification×IMI_TotalBurden   (2).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesIMI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to an indoor mold index.The property score calculator unit 421 computes IMI_Amplification basedon weighted user responses to questions selected from the collection 264to identify data points related to amplifications factors for an indoormold index. The property score calculator unit 421 computes the productof IMI_Raw, IMI_Amplification and IMI_TotalBurden to obtain IMI.

Indoor Pet Index

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 determines anindoor pet index for a property by analyzing property data for theproperty (e.g., a dataset 262 comprising property attributes for theproperty, user responses to questions relating to the property, etc.) toidentify data points that indicate potential pet presence at theproperty. Examples of data points that indicate potential pet presenceat the property may include, but are not limited to, the following: userresponses to pet questions selected from the question bank 265C (FIG.3). Examples of data points that indicate potential amplificationsfactors for the indoor pet index for the property may include, but arenot limited to, the following: vacuum usage behaviors, forced air, hardto clean places, carpeting, and duct age.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor pet index (IPETI) for a property in accordance with equation (3)provided below:

IPETI=IPETI_Raw×IPETI_Amplification×IPETI_TotalBurden   (3).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesIPETI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected fromthe collection 264 (e.g., pet questions from the question bank 265C) toidentify data points related to an indoor pet index. The property scorecalculator unit 421 computes IPETI_Amplification based on weighted userresponses to questions selected from the collection 264 to identify datapoints related to amplifications factors for an indoor pet index. Theproperty score calculator unit 421 computes the product of IPETI_Raw,IPETI_Amplification and IPETI_TotalBurden to obtain IPETI.

Outdoor Pollutant Index

An outdoor pollutant index for a property represents a combination ofvarious possible sources, locations, and types of outdoor pollutants,irrespective of other indexes. In one embodiment, the property scorecalculator unit 421 determines an outdoor pollutant index for a propertyby analyzing property data for the property (e.g., a dataset 262comprising property attributes for the property, user responses toquestions relating to the property, etc.) to identify data points thatindicate potential outdoor pollutant sources, locations, and types inclose proximity to the property. Examples of data points that indicatepotential outdoor pollutant sources, locations, and types in closeproximity to the property may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: (a) industrial plants, (b) airports, (c) heavy trafficincluding freeways and highways, (d) types of traffic such as buses,trains, trucks, aircraft, (e) parking lots for malls, schools,auditoriums, stadiums, (f) business that exhaust pollutants such as drycleaners, print shops, restaurants, (g) agriculture using fertilizersand pesticides, and (h) livestock ranching or feed lots. Examples ofdata points that indicate potential amplifications factors for theoutdoor pollutant index for the property may include, but are notlimited to, the following: heavy truck and bus traffic, industrialpollution, and agricultural activities.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anoutdoor pollutant index (OPI) for a property in accordance with equation(4) provided below:

OPI=OPI_Raw×OPI_Amplification×OPI_TotalBurden   (4).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesOPI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 (e.g., proximity questions from the question bank 265B)to identify data points related to an outdoor pollutant index. Theproperty score calculator unit 421 computes OPI_Amplification based onweighted user responses to questions selected from the collection 264 toidentify data points related to amplifications factors for an outdoorpollutant index. The property score calculator unit 421 computes theproduct of OPCF_Raw, OPI_Amplification and OPI_TotalBurden to obtainOPI.

In one embodiment, OPI_Amplification is applied to obtain OPI only whenthree or more amplification factors are present.

Indoor Chemical Index

An indoor chemical index for a property represents a combination ofvarious possible sources of potential chemicals in an indoor environmentof the property, irrespective of other indexes. In one embodiment, theproperty score calculator unit 421 determines an indoor chemical indexfor a property by analyzing property data for the property (e.g., adataset 262 comprising property attributes for the property, userresponses to questions relating to the property, etc.) to identify datapoints that indicate potential chemical presence in the property.Examples of data points that indicate potential chemical presence in theproperty may include, but are not limited to, the following: (a)building materials, (b) use of cleaning products, laundry detergent, airfresheners or personal care products, and (c) use of chemical pestcontrol. Examples of data points that indicate potential amplificationsfactors for the indoor chemical index for the property may include, butare not limited to, the following: (a) new building materials containinghigher levels of toxic ingredients, (b) use of fragranced cleaningproducts or personal care products, and (c) frequent use of chemicalpest control.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor chemical index (ICI) for a property in accordance with equation(5) provided below:

ICI=ICI_Raw×ICI_Amplification×ICI_TotalBurden   (5).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesICI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points that indicate potential chemicalpresence in the property. The property score calculator unit 421computes ICI_Amplification based on weighted user responses to questionsselected from the collection 264 to identify data points related toamplifications factors for an indoor chemical index. The property scorecalculator unit 421 computes the product of ICI_Raw, ICI_Amplificationand ICI_TotalBurden to obtain ICI.

In one embodiment, ICI_Amplification is applied to obtain ICI only whenthree or more amplification factors are present.

Indoor Biological Activity Index

An indoor biological activity index for a property represents acombination of features, including features from other indexes, thatresult in indoor environmental conditions necessary for germination,amplification, life support, and potential infestation of an indoorenvironment of the property by a multitude of potential biological lifeforms. One or more other indexes perform the role of amplificationfactors for the indoor biological activity index. For example, theindoor dampness index is the primary driving force for the growth ofmold, bacteria, dust mites, cockroaches, and rodents plus the release ofchemicals from moisture damaged materials and structures, as long as theother necessary environmental conditions are present. Otherenvironmental conditions, structures, and indexes that affect the indoorbiological activity index include: (a) water accumulation indoors frompipe leaks, wind driven rain penetration of the roof, cladding on oraround windows and doors, and toilet or washing machine overflows, (b)insufficient stoppage of moisture accumulation and removal beforebiological growth, especially mold, can reproduce and sustain growth,(c) materials, based on the home structural attributes index, thatcreate surfaces and nutrition for infestations, (d) structures, based onthe home structural attributes index, that provide pathways for air,moisture, particulate, spores, pollen, insects and other pests, (e)energy, based on the air movement index, to create migration ofpollutants and conditions through pathways for air from both outside toinside and to circulate throughout the indoor environment, (f)particulate identified, based on the indoor particulate index, as aprimary source of nutrients for biological growth, (g) structures, basedon the indoor cavities index, that provide micro-environments for theaccumulation of particulate, absorption of moisture, and relativelystable ranges of temperature and available water (aW) per the indoordampness index to be sufficiently supportive of biologicalamplification, (h) sources of nutrients and moisture based on theoutdoor pollutant index, and (i) based on the air movement index,moisture and subsequent vapor pressure differentials, the wind andsubsequent air pressure differentials, and the extent over time that theproperty is subject to factors which create the imbalance responsiblefor conditions that are unhealthy for people, but healthy forpestilence.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor biological activity index (IBAI) for a property in accordancewith equation (6) provided below:

IBAI=IBAI_Raw×IBAI_Amplification×IBAI_TotalBurden   (6).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesIBAI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to an indoor biologicalactivity index. The property score calculator unit 421 computesIBAI_Amplification based on weighted user responses to questionsselected from the collection 264 to identify data points related toamplifications factors for an indoor biological activity index. Theproperty score calculator unit 421 computes the product of IBAI_Raw,IBAI_Amplification and IBAI_TotalBurden to obtain IBAI.

In one embodiment, IBAI_Amplification is applied to obtain IBAI onlywhen two or more amplification factors are present.

The indoor biological activity index may affect other indexes, resultingin conditions which include, but are not limited to: (a) all biologicallife takes in nutrients, (b) all biological life excretes waste, and (c)both ingestion and excretion alters the environment the biological lifeinhabits. All of the other indexes are altered to some extent by thepresence of biological activity. The inter-relationships and feedback(both positive and negative) among and between the Indexes creates adynamically changing indoor environment. When the total set ofconditions shifts away from what the human body can easily adjust to,additional energy and action by the human organs and systems arestressed which can eventually result in a movement away from good-healthand toward ill-health.

Home Structural Attributes Index

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 determines ahome structural attributes index for a property by analyzing propertydata for the property (e.g., a dataset 262 comprising propertyattributes for the property, user responses to questions relating to theproperty, etc.) to identify data points that indicate potential presenceof structures at the property. Examples of data points that indicatepotential presence of structures at the property may include, but arenot limited to, the following: (a) forced air heating or coolingsystems, (b) cooling with air-conditioning, evaporative cooling ornatural ventilation, (c) mechanical ventilation, (d) exhaust fans inkitchen or bathrooms, (e) attic, with or without conditioned air, (f)crawlspace, ventilated or conditioned air, with or without a moisturebarrier, (g) fireplace, (h) wall to wall carpeting, and extent ofcoverage, (i) number of rooms, assists in identifying occupancy, (j)stucco cladding, whether natural or synthetic materials, (k) age of theproperty identifies most likely types of structure, materials, andsystems which have historically changed over time, (l) landscapingincluding slope and vegetation, (m) roof type and slope, such as flat,steep, slight, tile, shingles of asphalt or wood or tile, (n) waterremoval such as gutters and downspouts, (o) visual conditions ofproperty, such as recent or deferred maintenance, and (p) complexadditions to the main building. Examples of data points that indicatepotential amplifications factors for the home structural attributesindex for the property may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: old construction, conditions signaling poor maintenance ofthe property, high property occupancy with inadequate ventilation, overa damp crawlspace.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes ahome structural attributes index (HSAI) for a property in accordancewith equation (7) provided below:

HSAI=HSAI_Raw×HSAI_Amplification×HSAI_TotalBurden   (7).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesHSAI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to a home structuralattributes index. The property score calculator unit 421 computesHSAI_Amplification based on weighted user responses to questionsselected from the collection 264 to identify data points related toamplifications factors for a home structural attributes index. Theproperty score calculator unit 421 computes the product of HSAI_Raw,HSAI_Amplification and HSAI_TotalBurden to obtain HSAI.

In one embodiment, HSAI_Amplification is applied to obtain HSAI onlywhen three or more amplification factors are present.

Indoor Particle Index

An indoor particle index for a property represents a combination ofvarious possible sources of potential particulate (e.g., dust) in anindoor environment of the property, irrespective of other indexes. Inone embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 determines anindoor particle index for a property by analyzing property data for theproperty (e.g., a dataset 262 comprising property attributes for theproperty, user responses to questions relating to the property, etc.) toidentify data points that indicate potential particulate presence in theproperty. Examples of data points that indicate potential particulatepresence in the property may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: (a) pet dander from furry pets (e.g., dogs, cats, gerbils,hamsters), (b) human dander from high property occupancy, (c)particulate accumulation due to hard to clean surfaces such as wall towall carpeting, unfinished beams or wall paneling, horizontal displaysurfaces such as elevated structures, (d) particulate accumulation dueto forced air systems. Examples of data points that indicate potentialamplifications factors for the indoor particle index for the propertymay include, but are not limited to, the following: multiple furry pets,hard to clean surfaces, and types of forced air systems.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor particle index (IPI) for a property in accordance with equation(8) provided below:

IPI=IPI_Raw×IPI_Amplification×IPI_TotalBurden   (8).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesIPI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to an indoor particleindex. The property score calculator unit 421 computes IPI_Amplificationbased on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to amplifications factorsfor an indoor particle index. The property score calculator unit 421computes the product of IPI_Raw, IPI_Amplification and IPI_TotalBurdento obtain IPI.

In one embodiment, IPI_Amplification is applied to obtain IPI only whentwo or more amplification factors are present.

Indoor Dampness Index

An indoor dampness index for a property represents a combination ofvarious possible sources of dampness in an indoor environment of theproperty, irrespective of the other indexes. In one embodiment, theproperty score calculator unit 421 determines an indoor dampness indexfor a property by analyzing different datasets (e.g., a database 260maintaining property attributes for the property, user responses toquestions, etc.) to identify data points related to an indoor dampnessindex. The datasets may include data identifying potential dampnesspresence in the property. Examples of data points that relate to anindoor dampness index may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: (a) roof type and age, (b) plumbing type and age, (c)exterior cladding type and age, with or without moisture barrier andinsulation, (d) basements, whether full, partial, sub-surface,garden-level, or walk-out, (e) crawlspaces, whether installed moisturebarrier on open soil, or “rat” slab, (f) cold surfaces such as singlepane windows, insufficient insulation in exterior walls, (g) number ofbathroom showers, with or without bathroom exhaust fans, (h) cookingbehaviors with or without kitchen exhaust fans, (i) high occupancy,excess production of exhaled vapor in human breath, and (j) open-waterfeatures such as indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, water fountains, steamrooms. Examples of data points that indicate potential amplificationsfactors for the indoor dampness index for the property may include, butare not limited to, the following: old and damaged exteriors, dampcrawlspaces, history of water damage, and conditions signaling poormaintenance of the property. If two or more are present, then amultiplier is applied to the Index.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor dampness index (IDI) for a property in accordance with equation(9) provided below:

IDI=IDI_Raw×IDI_Amplification×IDI_TotalBurden   (9).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesIDI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to an indoor dampnessindex. The property score calculator unit 421 computes IDI_Amplificationbased on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to amplifications factorsfor an indoor dampness index. The property score calculator unit 421computes the product of IDI_Raw, IDI_Amplification and IDI_TotalBurdento obtain IDI.

In one embodiment, IDI_Amplification is applied to obtain IDI only whentwo or more amplification factors are present.

Outdoor Environmental Index

An outdoor environmental index for a property represents a combinationof various possible outdoor environmental features and conditions,including influences such as climate, geography, landscape, and otherfeatures outside of a building envelope of the property, irrespective ofthe other indexes. In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit421 determines an outdoor environmental index for a property byanalyzing property data for the property (e.g., a dataset 262 comprisingproperty attributes for the property, user responses to questionsrelating to the property, etc.) to identify data points that indicatepotential climate features of the property. Examples of data points thatindicate potential climate features of the property may include, but arenot limited to, the following: (a) climate zone, such as hot-humid,hot-dry, cold, frigid, moderate, or mixed—affecting energy usage perdegree day calculations, (b) geography, such as desert, mountain,plains, coastal, forest, (c) locations such as urban, suburbs, innercity, industrial, large housing lots, (d) seasonality, for weatherconditions and storms, plus pollen production, and outdoor activitiessuch as construction, lawn care, farming activities, tourism, (e) areawind direction and patterns, and (f) local features and structures suchas tall buildings, trees, and hills that provide extensive shading fromthe sun. Examples of data points that indicate potential amplificationsfactors for the outdoor environmental index for the property mayinclude, but are not limited to, the following: extremes of climate andgeography, shading of the sun, stormy weather.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anoutdoor environmental index (OEI) for a property in accordance withequation (10) provided below:

OEI=OEI_Raw×OEI_Amplification×OEI_TotalBurden   (10).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesOEI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to an outdoorenvironmental index. The property score calculator unit 421 computesOEI_Amplification based on weighted user responses to questions selectedfrom the collection 264 to identify data points related toamplifications factors for an outdoor environmental index. The propertyscore calculator unit 421 computes the product of OEI_Raw,OEI_Amplification and OEI_TotalBurden to obtain OEI.

In one embodiment, OEI_Amplification is applied to obtain OEI only whenthree or more amplification factors are present.

Air Movement Index

An air movement index for a property represents a combination of variouspossible sources, types, and intensities of factors—both internal andexternal—creating various pressure differentials across structures bothoutdoors and indoors. The air movement index further represents acombination of various possible sources of pathways for air from bothoutside to inside and to circulate throughout the indoor environment.The air movement index, unlike other indexes, is generated primarily bya combination of features selected from other indexes for the property.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 determines theair movement index for the property by analyzing property data for theproperty (e.g., a dataset 262 comprising property attributes for theproperty, user responses to questions relating to the property, etc.) toidentify data points that indicate potential pressure differentials andsources of pathways for air for the property. Examples of data pointsthat indicate potential pressure differentials and sources of pathwaysfor air for the property may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: (a) climate zone (e.g., hot-humid, hot-dry, cold, frigid,moderate, mixed, etc.) affecting energy usage per degree daycalculations, (b) prevailing wind direction and strength, (c) vaporpressure difference between inside and outside the structure, (d)frequency of directional change of air pressures, (e) frequency ofdirectional change of vapor pressures, (f) leak rate of house per blowerdoor test at 50 Pascal, (g) operation of exhaust fans inside the housein bathrooms, kitchens, hot tub rooms, laundry rooms for clothes dryerexhaust, attic fans for house cooling, (h) use of mechanical ventilationsuch as HRV or ERV, and (i) air barriers on exterior assemblies combinedwith sufficient insulation. Examples of amplifications factors for anair movement index may include, but are not limited to, the following:frequent vapor pressure changes, frequent increases in wind strength, aleaky property. Examples of data points that indicate potentialamplifications factors for the air movement index for the property mayinclude, but are not limited to, the following: (a) routine construction(e.g., if building envelope is not air tight, multiple tiny openings mayaccumulate to several square feet total), (b) chimneys, (c) crawlspacesnot air sealed to rest of house, (d) forced air systems and ductinglocated in attics or crawlspaces, (e) combustion make-up air vent (coderequired for gas fired appliances), (f) water heater exhaust vents, (g)furnace or boiler exhaust vents, (h) cracks in basement floor, (i) dryerexhaust vent, (j) stove hood vent, (k) access door to attic, (1) ceilingpenetrations into cavities or attics, (m) poor fitting windows anddoors, and (n) perimeter drainage pipes into sump pit.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anair movement index (AMI) for a property in accordance with equation (11)provided below:

AMI=AMI_Raw×AMI_Amplification×AMI_TotalBurden   (11).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesAMI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 to identify data points related to an air movement index.The property score calculator unit 421 computes AMI_Amplification basedon weighted user responses to questions selected from the collection 264to identify data points related to amplifications factors for an airmovement index. The property score calculator unit 421 computes theproduct of AMI_Raw, AMI_Amplification and AMI_TotalBurden to obtain AMI.

In one embodiment, AMI_Amplification is applied to obtain AMI only whentwo or more amplification factors are present.

Indoor Cavity Index

An indoor cavity index for a property represents a combination ofvarious possible sources and types of interstitial cavities instructural assemblies in indoor environment of the property,irrespective of other indexes. In one embodiment, the property scorecalculator unit 421 determines an indoor cavity index for a property byanalyzing property data for the property (e.g., a dataset 262 comprisingproperty attributes for the property, user responses to questionsrelating to the property, etc.) to identify data points that indicatepotential cavities in the property. Examples of data points thatindicate potential cavities in the property may include, but are notlimited to, the following: (a) large number of rooms for that particularhouse size, (b) complex system of interior walls, (c) additions to themain building, (d) partial attics, (e) partially finished basements, (f)cathedral ceilings, (g) air ducting utilizing “panned” returns inflooring, or located inside wall, floor, or ceiling assemblies, and (h)total rooms. Examples of data points that indicate potentialamplifications factors for the indoor cavity index for the property mayinclude, but are not limited to, the following: multiple additions,“panned” forced air returns, and partial attics.

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computes anindoor cavity index (ICAVI) for a property in accordance with equation(12) provided below:

ICAVI=ICAVI_Raw×ICAVI_Amplification×ICAVI_TotalBurden   (12).

In one embodiment, the property score calculator unit 421 computesICAVI_Raw based on weighted user responses to questions selected fromthe collection 264 to identify data points related to an indoor cavityindex. The property score calculator unit 421 computesICAVI_Amplification based on weighted user responses to questionsselected from the collection 264 to identify data points related toamplifications factors for an indoor cavity index. The property scorecalculator unit 421 computes the product of ICAVI_Raw,ICAVI_Amplification and ICAVI_TotalBurden to obtain ICAVI.

In one embodiment, ICAVI_Amplification is applied to obtain ICAVI onlywhen four or more amplification factors are present.

In one embodiment, the property score application 420 comprises aproperty analysis unit 429. In one example implementation, the propertyanalysis unit 429 functions as a building architecture and materialsrecommendation engine for providing recommendations, based in part onthe database 900, on how to build new properties that are customized tobest address local pollutants and sensitivities of a local population,thereby reducing risk of liability for builders, developers, etc.

In another example implementation, the property analysis unit 429functions as a housing stock analysis tool for tracking and assessinghealth index of multiple properties (e.g., housing stock) owned,controlled and/or managed by governments, property management groups,developers, builders, etc.

In another example implementation, the property analysis unit 429functions as a geographic region/multiple properties analysis tool fordetermining potential health issues associated with a particulargeographical area.

In another example implementation, the property analysis unit 429functions as a property improvement retailer recommendations tool forproviding recommendations, based in part on the database 900, on whatbuilding materials to sell, when to sell the building materials, and whoto sell the building materials to, based on regional population healthand health risks of a property.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example process 600 for obtaining information usedin determining a property score for a property, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. In process block 601, obtain property datafor a property from one or more data sources. In one embodiment, theproperty data includes climate data about environment around theproperty and public data about the property and its construction (e.g.,age of property, average precipitation in the environment around theproperty, whether the property is located in an urban area, last majorconstruction of the property, age of roof of the property).

In process block 602, select one or more proximity questions based onthe property data, present the selected proximity questions, and obtainuser responses to the selected proximity questions. In one embodiment,the selected proximity questions are selected from a question bank 265B(FIG. 3).

In process block 603, select one or more property attributes questionsbased on the property data and prior user responses, present theselected property attributes questions, and obtain user responses to theselected property attributes questions. In one embodiment, the selectedproperty attributes questions are selected from a question bank 265A(FIG. 3).

In process block 604, select one or more user behavioral questions basedon the property data and prior user responses, present the selected userbehavioral questions, and obtain user responses to the selected userbehavioral questions. In one embodiment, the selected user behavioralquestions are selected from a question bank 265D (FIG. 3).

In process block 605, select one or more pet questions based on theproperty data and prior user responses, present the selected petquestions, and obtain user responses to the selected pet questions. Inone embodiment, the selected pet questions are selected from a questionbank 265C (FIG. 3).

The order of process blocks 602-605 may change; any one of the processblocks may lead to any other one of the process blocks.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example algorithm 425 applied by the propertyscore calculator unit 421 to determine a property score for a property,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The property scorecalculator unit 421 computes a property score for a property based ondifferent subsets of property attributes, such as a first subset ofproperty attributes determined from climate data about environmentaround the property, a second subset of property attributes determinedfrom public data about the property and its construction, a third subsetof property attributes determined from user responses to propertyattribute questions selected from the question bank 265A, and a fourthsubset of property attributes determined from user responses to userbehavioral questions selected from the question bank 265D.

For each subset, one or more property attributes N of the subset areassigned an amplification factor. The value of each property attribute Nmay differ based on potential impact (i.e., severity) that the propertyattribute N has in influencing an overall value of a parametercorresponding to a pollutant. A value may be defined for each propertyattribute N, and the property attribute N may be factored into thecalculation of more than one parameter (i.e., may be factored into thecalculation of different parameters for different pollutants). Forexample, for each parameter (e.g., Parameter 1, Parameter 2, Parameter3, Parameter 4), the value of each property attribute N factored intothe calculation of the parameter is summed. The overall value of eachparameter is then summated as a value V for the subset (e.g., V1 for thefirst subset, V2 for the second subset, V3 for the third subset, V4 forthe fourth subset), and the value V is applied an amplification factorrepresenting the potential impact (i.e., severity) of the subset on thehealth of a mean population demographic. Furthermore, the overall valueof each parameter may be amplified on a pollutant basis such that theoverall value of any one parameter corresponding to a pollutant does notoverly influence the property score. Finally, each amplified value V issummated, and the resulting sum represents the property score.

The number of parameters may be variable. For example, if determiningthe potential impact of mold on the property, the parameters utilizedmay include an air movement index and model data for modeling/projectingthe growth of mold. In one example scenario, some property attributesfor the property are used to determine the air movement index and themodel data for modeling/projecting the growth of mold, which are thensummated to determine the potential impact of mold on the property. Inthis example scenario, the property attributes are not factored directlyin the algorithm 425; the property attributes, instead, are used in asubsystem that generates a result that is factored directly in thealgorithm 425.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example webpage 710, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The webpage 710 prompts a user accessingthe webpage 710 via a user client device 299 for a property address. Inone embodiment, the webpage 710 includes a first region 711 comprisingan input field for receiving user input. The user may directly enter aproperty address into the input field.

In one embodiment, if the user client device 299 has geo-locationcapabilities, the property address may be acquired instead vialatitudinal and longitudinal positions provided by the user clientdevice 299, without any user input.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example webpage 700 generated in response toreceiving a property address, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. In one embodiment, the webpage 700 includes a first region702 that displays a property score for the property address. Theproperty score is determined using the property score application 420.The webpage 700 further includes a second region 701 displaying animage/photo of a property located at the property address, and a thirdregion 703 displaying a legend identifying one or more propertyattributes for the property that has negatively impacted or positivelyimpacted the property score.

The webpage 700 may further include a fourth region 704 identifying aprojected accuracy rating for the property score. The accuracy ratingincreases or decreases depending on the amount and/or accuracy of datapoints available for the property address (e.g., the amount and/oraccuracy of property attributes acquired from third-party data sourcesand/or a user responses). The fourth region 704 may further display aselectable graphical user interface (GUI) component that, when selected,provides a user with an opportunity to increase the amount and/oraccuracy of data points available for the property address by manuallyentering additional information, thereby refining the property score.

If the user selects the GUI component, the user is directed to anotherwebpage presenting questions selected from the collection 264, whereinthe questions presented prompt the user to enter additional information.Additional property attributes for the property are determined based onthe additional information entered, and the additional propertyattributes are stored in the database 260 for the property. The scorecalculator unit 421 updates the property score based on the additionalproperty attributes determined.

The webpage 700 may include additional regions displaying otherinformation, such as the average estimated property score for propertieslocated in the same city as the property address, informationidentifying common illnesses, information identifying physical and/orgeographic characteristics that negatively impact human health,information identifying cities with properties having the highestproperty scores, etc.

Personal Profile Application

In this specification, the term “personal profile” is used to denote aprofile for a user. A personal profile for a user may include one ormore of the following information relating to the user: sensitivities ofthe user, specific triggers of the user, thresholds of the user, andimpacts of the user. The term “personal profile score” represents ahealth index for a user with respect to sensitivities of the user,specific triggers of the user, thresholds of the user, and impacts ofthe user. A personal profile score may be represented using a numbergrade, a percentage grade, a letter grade, etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example personal profile application 430, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, oneof the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is a personal profile application 430. The personalprofile application 430 comprises a personal profile score calculatorunit 431 configured to create a personal profile for a user, anddetermine a personal profile score for the user based on the personalprofile created.

The personal profile score calculator unit 431 may create a personalprofile for a user based on user input (e.g., user responses toquestions selected from the collection 264) and/or health records forthe user. A personal profile for a user may be maintained in at leastone database 260. In one embodiment, the storage devices 220 (FIG. 1)maintains at least one database 260 including a collection 266 ofpersonal profiles 267 for different users.

In one embodiment, to create a personal profile for a user, the user ispresented with questions selected from the collection 264 (e.g.,presented with 20 questions selected from a collection of more than 100questions) to obtain personal data of the user. The selected questionsmay cycle through questions for determining sensitivities of the user tobiologicals, chemicals, particles, and pets, respectively.

The personal profile application 430 comprises an adaptive questionselection unit 434 for adaptively selecting questions from thecollection 264 based in part on prior user input (e.g., prior userresponses to questions selected from the collection 264), if any. If, atany point during the presentation of the selected questions, userresponses seem contradictory or mis-entered, the adaptive questionselection unit 434 runs a related education module and then repeats orrephrases the selected questions. Questions selected and presented to auser are dynamically selected based on prior user interactions (e.g.,prior user responses). For example, if prior user responses to initialscreening questions indicate that pets are not an issue to a user butbiologicals are, the likelihood of questions relating to biologicalsbeing subsequently selected and presented to the user increases whereasthe likelihood of questions relating to pets being subsequently selectedand presented to the user decreased.

In one embodiment, the personal profile application 430 comprises aweightings unit 432. The weightings units 432 comprises, but is notlimited to, the following: (a) different weighting values for differentattributes, factors or indexes, (b) different prevalence values fordifferent attributes, factors or indexes, and (c) data representinginterrelationships between different attributes, factors or indexes.

In one embodiment, the personal profile application 430 comprises apersonal profile report unit 433 for generating a personal profilereport that includes a personal profile for a user and a personalprofile score for the user. A personal profile report may be presentedto a user via a website 295.

In one embodiment, a personal profile for a user maintained in thedatabase 260 is updated when updated/additional information relating tothe user obtained.

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431 isconfigured to create a group profile for a group of multiple users bycombining each personal profile for each user of the group. There may bedifferent types of groups comprising multiple users. Examples ofdifferent types of groups comprising multiple users may include, but arenot limited to, the following: a family group comprising multiple familymembers, a population group comprising multiple members (e.g., a localpopulation, etc.). A group profile for a group of users may include oneor more of the following information relating to the group:sensitivities of the group, specific triggers of the group, thresholdsof the group, and impacts of the group. In one example implementation,the personal profile score calculator unit 431 adds up sensitivities ofeach user the group, specific triggers of each user the group,thresholds of each user the group, and impacts of each user the group todetermine sensitivities of the group, specific triggers of the group,thresholds of the group, and impacts of the group, respectively. Thesensitivities of the group is determined such that it reflectssensitivities of the most sensitive user of the group.

In one embodiment, a personal profile report for a user includes apersonal action plan customized for the user. The personal profilereport unit 433 determines how compatibility between a user and aproperty may be misaligned, and generates personal action plan includingremediation recommendations, wherein the remediation recommendationssuggest actions and/or interventions for the user to take to remedy anypotential mis-match between the user and the property and improvecompatibility between the user and the property (i.e., improving aproperty match score). The personal action plan may be based in part onuser feedback with respect to past actions taken and results, expertjudgment and other data correlations. The personal action plan may alsobe based on user feedback with respect to goals of the user, budget ofthe user and/or desired outcomes of the user. For example, to elicituser feedback from the user with respects to goals of the user, budgetof the user and/or desired outcomes of the user, the personal profilereport unit 433 may present questions selected from the collection 264(e.g., personal motivations and goals questions selected from thequestion bank 265E). User responses received in response to thequestions presented are used to further personalize/customize thepersonal action plan for the user. A personal action plan may bepresented to a user via a website 295.

In one embodiment, the personal action plan comprises a prioritized setof remediation recommendations, wherein the remediation recommendationssuggest a particular order of actions and/or interventions for the userto take in order to yield maximum benefit and compliance. The personalaction plan may also include actions to avoid and guidance oninterpretation of results. The remediation recommendations areprioritized based on data correlations, such as correlations amongproperty attributes used in determining a property score, personalprofiles, expert judgment, survey results, and user feedback withrespect to prior remediation interventions and/or actions performed andresults/impact. Necessary remediation interventions and/or actions mayalso be covered by existing guidance documents and/or standards.

Table 2 below provides an example personal profile report generated bythe personal profile application 430.

TABLE 2 Personal Profile Your personal profile score is 80. You havesome significant sensitivities, but are overall around average and sharethis score with an estimated 50% of the U.S. population and about 40% ofusers of the Personal Profile tool. You are highly sensitive tochemicals, which can easily cross the threshold for triggering aresponse. These interruptions, however, are at a nuisance level (2 outof 6 with 1 being no impact and 6 being life threatening) and do nottypically require substantial lifestyle changes or cause significantharm. A few example data points used in this determination are: Yoursensitivity to diesel fuel A dislike of the cleaning aisle A strongresponse to air fresheners An assessment that you don't leave a roomwith an air freshener Nail polish bothers you, but you go to nail salonsregularly Some specific chemicals that affect you are: Alcohol basedperfumes Petroleum products You are moderately sensitive to particles.While particles don't easily cross the threshold to trigger a response,when you have a response it is rather strong. These interruptions, areat a 4 out of 6 (2 out of 6 with 1 being no impact and 6 being lifethreatening). A few example data points used in this determination are:Sensitivity to cigarette smoke Comfort around 2-3 dogs, but inability togo into pet stores Seasonal allergies that are non-existent most of theyear, but severe a few times a year Comfort with cleaning and vacuumingfor all rooms except the attic, which you avoid Allergies to cats thatprevent you from visiting friends with cats at their properties, thoughmeeting outside it fine Some specific particles that affect you are: Catdander Pollen You have a low sensitivity to biologicals. You have arelatively high trigger point and are not substantially bothered bybiologicals. These interruptions, are at a nuisance level (2 out of 6with 1 being no impact and 6 being life threatening). A few example datapoints used in this determination are: The dampness of your currentliving environment Your lack of sinus infections during past stays inmusty properties and dorms Your love of antiques, old carpets andupholstery Personal Action Plan We recommend keeping windows closedduring peak allergy seasons. 30% of people with personal profiles likeyours report significant improvements in how they feel afterimplementing this strategy. Use only low toxic cleaning materials andair out the house while doing so with open windows. 50% of people withpersonal profiles like yours report significant improvements in how theyfeel after implementing this strategy.

In one embodiment, after a personal action plan is presented to a userfor review, the personal profile report unit 433 is configured torefine/adjust the personal action plan based on user feedback. Forexample, to elicit user feedback from the user, the personal profilereport unit 433 may present questions selected from the collection 264(e.g., feedback and assessment questions selected from the question bank265L, or other questions such as “Which of the suggested interventionswould you like to do first?” or “What deadline do you want to giveyourself for this action?”). User responses received in response to thequestions presented are used to refine/adjust the personal action planfor the user.

In this specification, the term “trigger” is used to represent asubstance/item, without any assigned weighting, that has a perceivedimpact on an individual (i.e., how the individual reacts to thesubstance). Examples of triggering items may include nail polish, petdander, or petroleum products.

A threshold for a trigger denotes how much of a trigger must be presentto elicit a response from a user.

An impact rating for a trigger denotes severity of a response anindividual will exhibit when a threshold for the trigger is crossed.

The personal profile score calculator unit 431 is configured to collectdifferent reported triggers from a user, and determine the influence ofeach reported trigger on a personal profile score based on acorresponding weighting value and a corresponding prevalence value.

In one embodiment, the personal profile application 430 determines ahealth sensitivity data (e.g., pattern relating to a sensitivity) frompersonal data associated with a user. The personal profile application430 determines a potential impact data (e.g., pattern relating topersonal impact) that a pollutant data (e.g., pattern relating to apollutant) may have on health of the user based in part on the healthsensitivity data, and generates a personal profile for the user, whereinthe personal profile comprises a personal profile score representinghealth sensitivities of the user to pollutants based in part on thepotential impact data.

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431determines a personal profile score for a user based on the followingfactors/indexes: specific triggers (i.e., biologicals, chemicals,particles and pets), prevalence and thresholds for the specifictriggers, impact rating of the specific triggers, and total burden. Aselection of top triggers corresponding may be included in a personalprofile report generated for a user.

Table 3 provided below comprises a listing identifying differentparameters referenced in this specification.

TABLE 3 Abbreviation Definition PersonalProfile_Score Personal profilescore BiologicalSensitivity Raw score for biologicals triggerBiologicalThresholds_Sum Sum of thresholds for biologicals triggerBiologicalThresholds_Amplification Thresholds amplification factors forbiologicals trigger BiologicalImpactRatings Impact ratings forbiologicals trigger BiologicalImpactRatings_Amplification Impact ratingsamplification factors for biologicals trigger MoldSensitivity Raw scorefor mold trigger MoldThresholds_Sum Sum of thresholds for mold triggerMoldThresholds_Amplification Thresholds amplification factors for moldtrigger MoldImpactRatings Impact ratings for mold triggerMoldImpactRatings_Amplification Impact ratings amplification factors formold trigger ChemicalSensitivity Raw score for chemicals triggerChemicalThresholds_Sum Sum of thresholds for chemicals triggerChemicalThresholds_Amplification Thresholds amplification factors forchemicals trigger ChemicalImpactRatings Impact ratings for chemicalstrigger ChemicalImpactRatings_Amplification Impact ratings amplificationfactors for chemicals trigger ParticleSensitivity Raw score forparticles trigger ParticleThresholds_Sum Sum of thresholds for particlestrigger ParticleThresholds_Amplification Thresholds amplificationfactors for particles trigger ParticleImpactRatings Impact ratings forparticles trigger ParticleImpactRatings_Amplification Impact ratingsamplification factors for particles trigger PetSensitivity Raw score forpets trigger PetThresholds_Sum Sum of thresholds for pets triggerPetThresholds_Amplification Thresholds amplification factors for petstrigger PetImpactRatings Impact ratings for pets triggerPetImpactRatings_Amplification Impact ratings amplification factors forpets trigger Trigger_Raw Raw score for trigger TriggeringItem Indication(Yes/No) of whether a user reacts to a particular triggering item for atrigger TriggeringItem_Amplification Amplification factors for aparticular triggering item for a trigger ThresholdAmplificationFactorsThreshold amplification factors for triggerThresholdDeterminationRatings Threshold determination ratings fortrigger ImpactRatings Impact ratings for trigger MaskingEffects Maskingeffects UserBehavioralClues User behavioral cluesUserBehavioralClues_Amplification Amplification factors for userbehavioral clues ImpactRatings_Amplification Impact ratingsamplification factors

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes PersonalProfile_Score in accordance with the equation (13)provided below:

PersonalProfile_Score=BiologicalSensitivity+MoldSensitivity+ChemicalSensitivity+ParticleSensitivity+PetSensitivity  (13).

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes BiologicalSensitivity in accordance with the equation (14)provided below:

BiologicalSensitivity=BiologicalThresholds_Sum×BiologicalThresholds_Amplification×BiologicalImpactRatings×BiologicalImpactRatings_Amplification  (14).

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes MoldSensitivity in accordance with the equation (15) providedbelow:

MoldSensitivity=MoldThresholds_Sum×MoldThresholds_Amplification×MoldImpactRatings×MoldImpactRatings_Amplification  (15).

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes ChemicalSensitivity in accordance with the equation (16)provided below:

ChemicalSensitivity=ChemicalThresholds_Sum×ChemicalThresholds_Amplification×ChemicalImpactRatings×ChemicalImpactRatings_Amplification  (16).

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes ParticleSensitivity in accordance with the equation (17)provided below:

ParticleSensitivity=ParticleThresholds_Sum×ParticleThresholds_Amplification×ParticleImpactRatings×ParticleImpactRatings_Amplification  (17).

In one embodiment, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes PetSensitivity in accordance with the equation (18) providedbelow:

PetSensitivity=PetThresholds_Sum×PetThresholds_Amplification×PetImpactRatings×PetImpactRatings_Amplification  (18).

For each trigger, the personal profile score calculator unit 431computes Trigger_Raw in accordance with equation (19) provided below:

Trigger_Raw=(TriggeringItem×TriggeringItem_Amplification×ThresholdAmplificationFactors×ThresholdDeterminationRatings)×(ImpactRatings×MaskingEffects+UserBehavioralClues×UserBehavioralClues_Amplification×ImpactRatings_Amplification)  (19).

If a raw score computed for a trigger is greater than a displaythreshold assigned to the trigger, then the trigger is included in aproperty match report or a personal action plan generated for the user.

A display threshold assigned to a trigger represents degree ofimportance of including the trigger in a property match report orpersonal action plan generated for the user. In one embodiment, adisplay threshold may be assigned one of the following degrees ofimportance—“high”, “medium” or “low”. The degree of importance assignedmay be based on amount of points accumulated based on weighted datainputs and weighted data correlations. In one example implementation, a“low” degree of importance is assigned to the threshold if the amount ofpoints accumulated is less than 200 points, a “medium” degree ofimportance is assigned to the threshold if the amount of pointsaccumulated is between 200 and 400 points, and a “high” degree ofimportance is assigned to the threshold if the amount of pointsaccumulated is more than 400 points.

In one embodiment, an impact rating assigned to a trigger is a rankingthat reflects degree of impact the trigger has on a user. In one exampleimplementation, an impact rating assigned to a trigger is a ranking inthe range of “1” to “6”. For example, a ranking of “1” reflects that thetrigger has no impact on the user, a ranking of “2” reflects that thetrigger is merely a nuisance and any impact of the trigger on the useris insufficient to trigger an action to alleviate the impact, a rankingof “3” reflects that any impact of the trigger on the user is sufficientto trigger an action to alleviate the impact, a ranking of “4” reflectsthat any impact of the trigger on the user is pervasive, complex, andlife altering, a ranking of “5” reflects that any impact of the triggeron the user is disabling, and a ranking of “6” reflects that any impactof the trigger on the user is nearly non-functioning or lifethreatening.

The ranking assigned may be based on amount of impact points accumulatedbased on weighted data inputs and weighted data correlations. Forexample, a ranking of “1” is assigned if the amount of pointsaccumulated is in the range 1-100, a ranking of “2” is assigned if theamount of points accumulated is in the range 101-200, a ranking of “3”is assigned if the amount of points accumulated is in the range 201-300,a ranking of “4” is assigned if the amount of points accumulated is inthe range 301-400, a ranking of “5” is assigned if the amount of pointsaccumulated is in the range 401-500, and a ranking of “6” is assigned ifthe amount of points accumulated is in the range 501-600.

A threshold amplification factor is a weighted multiplier. A thresholdamplification factor lowers a triggering threshold for triggering anitem (i.e., makes the triggering item more potent). For example, dustsissues are amplified if the user has a dust allergy and the property hashard to clean places and forced air.

A threshold determination rating is a weighted assessment of how easilyan individual is affected by a specific trigger. The personal profilescore calculator unit 431 computes a threshold determination rating fora trigger based on user responses to questions selected from thecollection 264 (e.g., threshold questions from the question bank 265G).

For example, to determine a threshold determination rating for dust, thequestions selected may include the following: “Do you sneeze when youdust or vacuum?”, “Do you sneeze when the forced air turns on?”, and “Doyou sneeze when vacuuming or dusting and the forced air turns on?”. Thethreshold determination rating for dust is based on user responses tothe questions selected (e.g., the user responses may indicate that theuser can handle dust without reaction). The threshold determinationrating for dust is multiplied by a corresponding weighting to determinethe threshold for response of the user to dust. Weightings are createdby machine learning algorithm over time.

A personal impact rating for a trigger is an assessment on a slidingscale by a user about how much a triggering item for the trigger impactsthe user.

A user behavioral clue is an indicator of potential user reactivity.User behavioral clues are determined from user responses to questionsselected from the collection 264 (e.g., user behavioral questionsselected from the question bank 265D).

An impact amplification factor is a weighted multiplier. An impactamplification factor increases severity of impact of a trigger. Forexample, impact amplification factors such as upholstery, carpeting anda high suck rate may increase severity of impact of chemicals.

A masking effect for a trigger reduces a user's perception of the impactthat the trigger has on the user. For example, smoking, drinkingalcohol, or drinking coffee regularly may impact how a user perceiveshis/her response to pets, mold, and chemicals. Masking effects aredetermined from user responses to questions selected from the collection264 (e.g., masking questions selected from the question bank 265J).

A total burden factor is a calculation about how overall sensitivity maymake specific sensitivities worse. Sensitivity levels, when appearing incertain combinations, are correlated to significantly higher lowerthresholds and/or to specific triggering items and significantly higherimpacts on individuals. When a total burden, as calculated from specifictrigger scores tips into a high level, the personal profile scorecalculator unit 431 will adjust and lower thresholds and raise impactscores accordingly based on data and previously discovered correlationsfrom machine learning about how this total level of burden and thecomponents correlates with thresholds and impacts.

In one example use case, assume that user responses to questionsindicate the following: (1) nail polish and diesel are specific triggersfor the user, (2) the user attempts to avoid each specific trigger witha personal impact score of 3, and (3) the property of interest to theuser has materials such as carpeting and retail chemicals. Table 4 belowprovides example pseudo code for determining a raw score for thechemical trigger based on triggering item nail polish.

TABLE 4 raw score for nail polish = [triggering item (yes/no) (i.e.,Nail polish YES) × triggering item amplification factors (i.e.,amplification factors for nail polish based on data correlations among ageneral population, average population response to nail polish, andseverity of the average population response) × threshold amplificationfactors (i.e., weighted amplification indicators such as diesel fuel andcarpeting) × threshold determination rating] × [personal impact rating(i.e., 3) + masking effects + behavioral clues × behavioral cluesamplification factors × impact ratings amplification factors (i.e.,weighted impact of affirmative user behavioral indicators that confirmor challenge the personal impact rating, such as the user indicatingthat he/she avoids nail salons and can't be in the same room withsomeone putting on nail polish)]

As another example, Table 5 below provides example pseudo code fordetermining a raw score for the chemical trigger based on differenttriggering items.

TABLE 5 raw score for different chemical triggers = [Triggering item(yes/no) × triggering item amplification factors (e.g., New clothes YES× amplification factors Fragrance YES × amplification factors Paint YES× amplification factors) × threshold amplification factors (e.g., newhouse, plug in deodorizers, scented detergent) × threshold determinationrating (e.g., user indicates ratings of 4/6, 2/6, 4/6 in response toquestions such as “How much of an issue are these three triggeringitems?”; also, user responses to questions relating to environment,behavior and reactivity such as “Do you use perfume or scented laundrydetergent?”, “Do you frequently buy new clothes?”, “Have you recentlyremodeled or repainted?”)] × [personal impact rating (e.g., userindicates rating of 4/6 in response to questions such as “What's it likebeing near these chemicals? How much does it influence you?”) + maskingeffects (e.g., user indicates that he/she does not consume coffee oralcohol) + user behavioral clues (e.g., user indicates that he/sheavoids hardware stores and paint aisles) × user behavioral cluesamplification factors × impact ratings amplification factors (e.g., userindicates property is near a freeway and the property has had recentwater leaks)]

As another example, Table 6 below provides example pseudo code fordetermining a raw score for the biological trigger based on differenttriggering items.

TABLE 6 raw score for different biological triggers = [Triggering item(yes/no) × triggering item amplification factors (e.g., Old mustybuildings YES × amplification factors Antiques YES × amplificationfactors Old books YES × amplification factors) × threshold amplificationfactors (e.g., property score estimates high mold risk index) ×threshold determination rating (e.g., user indicates ratings of 3/6, 4/6in response to questions such as “How much of an issue are these threetriggering items?”; also, user responses to questions relating toenvironment, behavior and reactivity that indicate the user avoids thebasement and feels when he/she leaves the property)] × [personal impactrating (e.g., user indicates rating of 2/6 in response to questions suchas “What's it like being near mold? How much does it influence you?”) +masking effects (e.g., user indicates that he/she consumes a lot ofalcohol and smokes) + user behavioral clues × user behavioral cluesamplification factors × impact ratings amplification factors]

Table 7 below provides example questions and user responses used indetermining thresholds and impacts for the particles trigger.

TABLE 7 Examples of initial screening questions   What is it likearound:   Seasonal changes   Dust   Outdoor windy days Examples of userresponses to user behavioral questions and sensitivity questions thatcontribute to threshold determinations I react to following situations:  Forced air turns on   Run vacuum   When I dust   When I open thewindows   When I was in a previous property (or at other times in myhistory e.g., college dorm) Examples of user responses to propertyattributes questions, user behavioral questions, proximity questions andsensitivity questions that contribute to amplifiers (impact andthreshold)   I have forced air   My family has stuffed animals   I havecarpeting   I have upholstery   I keep all my windows open   I live nearagriculture   I live near construction   I live near a freeway

Table 8 below provides example questions and user responses used indetermining thresholds and impacts for the pets trigger.

TABLE 8 Examples of initial screening questions   What is it like aroundpets and animals?   Have I ever had rodents or insects in the house?What was   that like? Examples of pet questions that contribute tothreshold determinations   How many pets do I have?   Do I respond tothe pet dander on someone else's clothes when no   pets are around?   DoI respond to pet dander on a spouse that only interacts with pets  outside the house?   Do I keep pets outside of the house? Why?Examples of indicators in user responses to property attributesquestions, user behavioral questions, proximity questions andsensitivity questions that contribute to amplifiers (impact andthreshold)   Forced air   Carpet   Vacuum   Upholstery   Have pets  Basement or crawlspace

Table 9 below provides example questions and user responses used indetermining thresholds and impacts for the biologicals trigger.

TABLE 9 Examples of initial screening questions   What's it like around:old books, musty houses?   What's it like around damp leaves?   What'sit like around old carpet?   What's it like around mold? Examples ofindicators in user responses to property attributes questions, userbehavioral questions, proximity questions and sensitivity questions thatcontribute to amplifiers (impact and threshold)   Moisture and dampness  Wetting and drying cycles in living environment   Upholsteredfurniture

In one embodiment, the personal profile application 430 comprises acareer match calculator unit 446 configured to determine a career matchscore representing compatibility between a user and a profession ofinterest to the user based on a personal profile of the user andinformation identifying working conditions associated with theprofession (e.g., potential exposures associated with a workingenvironment that an individual working in the profession may face). Theinformation identifying working conditions associated with theprofession may be acquired from third-party data sources 120 and/or userfeedback.

Typically, 25% of employees consciously or unconsciously opt out of aprofession they have been working at for a period of time because theydo not feel good in their working environment or do not feel motivated.For example, an individual who is chemically sensitive may find workingin an environment with high exposure to chemicals unpleasant and maypursue another career. As another example, an individual who works as apainter may succumb to alcoholism as a coping mechanism to illnessescaused from exposure to chemicals while working as a painter. The careermatch calculator unit 446 provides a tool that allows a user to gaugetheir compatibility with a particular profession. The higher thecompatibility between a user and a profession of interest, the higherthe likelihood of the user will feel satisfied, healthy and motivated inthe profession.

In one embodiment, the personal profile application 430 comprises acareer match report unit 448 configured to generate a career matchreport for a user based in part on a personal profile for the user andfeedback with respect to professions from other users with similarpersonal profiles. The career match report may include a suggested listof professions for the user to avoid in view of sensitivities of theuser. The career match report may also include a suggested list ofprofessions for the user to pursue. A career match report may bepresented to a user via a website 295.

In one embodiment, the career match calculator unit 446 is configured todetermine a career match score representing compatibility between a userand a property address at which a working environment for a professionof interest to the user is located based on a personal profile of theuser and property data for the property address.

Table 10 below provides an example career match report generated by thepersonal profile application 430.

TABLE 10 Your sensitivity profile is X and your personal impact is Y forChemicals. People with similar personal profiles generally tend to avoidthe following professions and exposures: [suggested list of professionsand exposures to avoid]. They are typically successfully employed inthese professions: [suggested list of professions to pursue]

In one embodiment, the personal profile application 430 comprises aprofile analysis unit 447. In one example implementation, the profileanalysis unit 447 functions as a population profile tool for generating,based in part on group profiles created for specific populations,population-level sensitivity analysis reports for the specificpopulations. The population-level sensitivity analysis reports may beused by politicians, government agencies, companies and other entitiesto seek insight into the specific populations.

In one example implementation, the profile analysis unit 447 functionsas a liability analyzer tool for assessing, based in part on groupprofiles created for specific populations, likelihood that minor, butcommon, health issues within the specific populations are caused byindustry, such as oil spills, chemical leaks, etc.

In one example implementation, the profile analysis unit 447 functionsas an academic outcomes prediction and advice engine for correlating,based in part on group profiles created for regional populations,regional property attributes with regional student performance andsuggesting changes to improve academic performance.

In one example implementation, the profile analysis unit 447 functionsas a life insurance calculator tool for predicting, based in part onlongitudinal data and group profiles created for regional populations,how regional and individual home and health correlations impact lifeexpectancy at the population level.

In one example implementation, the profile analysis unit 447 functionsas a relocation recommendation engine for providing, based in part onregional conditions and a personal/group profile, a hyper-localrelocation suitability recommendation that suggests targeted regions forrelocation

FIG. 11 illustrates an example process 610 for obtaining informationused in creating a personal profile for a user, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. In process block 611, select one or morepersonal motivations and goals questions, present the selected personalmotivations and goals questions, and obtain user responses to theselected personal motivations and goals questions. In one embodiment,the selected personal motivations and goals questions are selected froma question bank 265E (FIG. 4).

In process block 612, select one or more initial screening questions,present the selected initial screening questions, and obtain userresponses to the selected initial screening questions. In oneembodiment, the selected initial screening questions are selected from aquestion bank 265F (FIG. 4).

In process block 613, select one or more threshold questions, presentthe selected threshold questions, and obtain user responses to theselected threshold questions. In one embodiment, the selected thresholdquestions are selected from a question bank 265G (FIG. 4).

In process block 614, select one or more sensitivity questions, presentthe selected sensitivity questions, and obtain user responses to theselected sensitivity questions. In one embodiment, the selectedsensitivity questions are selected from a question bank 265H (FIG. 4).

In process block 615, select one or more symptoms questions, present theselected symptoms questions, and obtain user responses to the selectedsymptoms questions. In one embodiment, the selected symptoms questionsare selected from a question bank 265I (FIG. 4).

In process block 616, select one or more user behavioral questions,present the selected user behavioral questions, and obtain userresponses to the selected user behavioral questions. In one embodiment,the selected user behavioral questions are selected from a question bank265D (FIG. 3).

In process block 617, select one or more personal impact questions,present the selected personal impact questions, and obtain userresponses to the selected personal impact questions. In one embodiment,the selected personal impact questions are selected from a question bank265K (FIG. 4).

In process block 618, select one or more masking questions, present theselected masking questions, and obtain user responses to the selectedmasking questions. In one embodiment, the selected masking questions areselected from a question bank 265J (FIG. 4).

The order of process blocks 611-618 may change; any one of the processblocks may lead to any other one of the process blocks (e.g., processblock 612 may lead directly to process block 616 which in turn leadsdirectly to process block 615).

Property Match Application

In this specification, the term “property match score” is used to denotea grade (e.g., a number grade, a percentage grade, a letter grade)representing compatibility between a property and a user/group of users.A property match score for a property of interest to a user representscompatibility between the property and the user for healthy living.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example property match application 440, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, oneof the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is a property match application 440. The propertymatch application 440 comprises a property match calculator unit 441configured to determine a property match score for a property ofinterest to a user based on a personal profile of the user and one ormore property attributes maintained in a database 260 for the property.The property match calculator unit 441 combines data from one or morepersonal profiles for one or more users associated with the propertywith property data for the property to calculate potential health impactcorrelations.

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 determinescompatibility between a property and a user by evaluating a personalprofile for the user against property data for the property. Asdescribed in detail later herein, the property match calculator unit 441may look for specific triggers of the user, specific exposures of theuser and property attributes (e.g., potential exposures associated withthe property, such as mold risk index, pet factor, etc.) used indetermining a property score for the property. For example, for aproperty with a high mold risk index, the property will have asubstantially lower property match score with respect to a user who hasa high sensitivity to biologicals compared to another user withminimal/no sensitivities to biologicals. As another example, for aproperty with a high pet factor, the property will have a substantiallyhigher property match score with respect to a user who has minimal/nosensitivities to pets compared to another user with a high sensitivityto pets.

In one embodiment, the property match application 440 comprises anadaptive question selection unit 445 for adaptively selecting questionsfrom the collection 264 based on prior user responses to previouslypresented questions and/or property data for a property associated withthe user. If, at any point during the presentation of questions, userresponses seem contradictory or mis-entered, the adaptive questionselection unit 445 runs a related education module and then repeats orrephrases the target questions. Questions selected and presented to auser are dynamically selected based on prior user interactions (e.g.,prior user responses). For example, if prior user responses to initialscreening questions indicate that pets are not an issue to a user butbiologicals are, the likelihood of biological questions beingsubsequently selected and presented to the user increases whereas thelikelihood of pet questions being subsequently selected and presented tothe user decreased.

In one embodiment, the property match application 440 comprises aweightings unit 442. The weightings units 442 comprises, but is notlimited to, the following: (a) different weighting values for differentattributes, factors or indexes, (b) different prevalence values fordifferent attributes, factors or indexes, and (c) data representinginterrelationships between different attributes, factors or indexes.

In one embodiment, the property match application 440 comprises aproperty match report unit 447 for generating a property match reportthat includes a property match score for a property of interest to auser. The property match report may include one or more suggestedimprovements to the property to increase compatibility between theproperty and the user. The improvements, when undertaken, may helpimprove the property match score. The property match report may alsoprovide estimated costs associated with the improvements. The estimatedcosts may be based on contractor fees, fees for past improvementprojects, expert judgment, user feedback and other data sources. Aproperty match report may be presented to a user via a website 295.

Table 11 below provides an example property match report generated bythe property match application 440.

TABLE 11   70% of properties like this one typically have poor indoorair quality, which results in negative impact on occupant health. Basedon your Match analysis this property will be a grade C match.   StuccoWalls in this climate with signs of landscaping sprinklers hitting thewall on the shaded side of the house have high risk of biological growthinside the wall cavities. Typical cost to repair this kind of problemranges from $3,000-$20,000. The priority level of this change forsomeone like you is MEDIUM   This property was built in 1938. The paintaround the windows appears to be original. It is highly likely tocontain lead paint. Remediation or encapsulation needs to be done.Typical cost in your area is $1,000-$3,000. The priority level of thischange for someone like you is HIGH   Properties with basements in thisclimate negatively impact occupant health 50% of the time. This basementshows signs of moisture intrusion in photo #3. That increases likelihoodto 80%. Typical costs to remediate and repair range from $3,000 to$15,000 in your area. The priority level of this change for someone likeyou is LOW   Cat is living in the house. You indicated you are sensitiveto cats. Effective remediation would require painting to encapsulateexisting dander on the wall, removal of the carpet, and cleaning theduct work to reduce risk of impact on you. Typical cost in your area is$3,000-5,000. The priority level of this change for someone like you isHIGH   Property is near a freeway and concentrates chemicals and fumesfrom outside. Substantive, but not complete remediation would require[insert requirement here]. The priority level of this change for someonelike you is HIGH.   Projected cost to improve house to a grade C+ match(high priority items) is around $16,000   Projected cost to improvehouse to a grade B match (High and medium priority improvements) is$26,000   Projected cost to improve house to a grade B+ match (High,medium and low priority improvements) is $35,000   Grade A and A+matches are not possible given the properties history and location.Consider the creating a property match score for others who will live inthe dwelling. While the Match grade of the property is improvement byyour lack of sensitivity to biological agents, this property would be avery poor match for someone sensitive to biological such as mold. 30% ofpeople with a property match score of C+ report being satisfied with theair quality in their property 50% of people with a property match scoreof B report being satisfied with the air quality in their property 65%of people with a property match score of B+ report being satisfied withthe air quality in their property 80% of people with a property matchscore of A report being satisfied with the air quality in their property95% of people with a property match score of A+ report being satisfiedwith the air quality in their property

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 is configuredto determine a property match score for a property of interest to agroup of multiple users (i.e., a collective group) based on a groupprofile of the group and one or more property attributes maintained in adatabase 260 for the property. As described above, a group profile for agroup of multiple users combines personal profiles of each user of thegroup. A property match score for a property of interest to a group ofmultiple users represents compatibility between the property and thegroup for healthy living.

For example, the property match calculator unit 441 may determine aproperty match score representing compatibility between a family and aproperty by evaluating each personal profile of each family member ofthe family against property data for the property.

In one embodiment, the property match application 440extracts/determines a property attribute data (e.g., pattern relating toa property attribute) from property data associated with a propertyarea. The property match application 440 combines the property attributedata with at least one other property attribute data to determinepresence or movement of a pollutant data (e.g., pattern relating to apollutant) within the property area. The property match application 440determines a health sensitivity data (e.g., pattern relating to asensitivity) from personal data associated with a user. The propertymatch application 440 determines a potential impact data (e.g., patternrelating to personal impact) that the pollutant data may have on healthof the user based in part on the health sensitivity data and thecombination, and computes a property match score representingcompatibility of the property area with the health of the user based inpart on the first potential impact data.

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 determines aproperty match score based on the following factors: biological match,chemical match, particle match, pet match, total burden andcorresponding weighting.

A weighting for a total burden is dynamically determined by based oncurrent total burden of a user and increased/decreased stress that theproperty would put on health of the user.

Table 12 provided below comprises a listing identifying differentparameters referenced in this specification.

TABLE 12 Abbreviation Definition PropertyMatch_Score Property matchscore BiologicalMatch Match score for biologicals MoldMatch Match scorefor mold ChemicalMatch Match score for chemicals ParticleMatch Matchscore for particles PetMatch Match score for pets TotalBurden Totalburden TotalBurden_Amplification Amplification factors for total burden

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 computesPropertyMatch_Score in accordance with the equation (20) provided below:

PropertyMatch_Score=[BiologicalMatch+MoldMatch+ChemicalMatch+ParticleMatch+PetMatch]×TotalBurden×TotalBurden_Amplification  (20).

In one embodiment, a PropertyMatch_Score is a raw score that isconverted to a number grade, a percentage grade, a letter grade, etc.The higher a PropertyMatch_Score computed for a property of interest toa user, the smaller the degree of compatibility between the property andthe user (i.e., the property is unsuitable for the user).

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 computesBiologicalMatch in accordance with the equation (21) provided below:

BiologicalMatch=BiologicalSensitivity×IBAI   (21).

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 computesMoldMatch in accordance with the equation (22) provided below:

MoldMatch=MoldSensitivity×IMI   (22).

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 computesChemicalMatch in accordance with the equation (23) provided below:

ChemicalMatch=ChemicalSensitivity×ICI   (23).

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 computesParticleMatch in accordance with the equation (24) provided below:

ParticleMatch=ParticleSensitivity×IPI×IPETI   (24).

In one embodiment, the property match calculator unit 441 computesPetMatch in accordance with the equation (25) provided below:

PetMatch=PetSensitivity×IPETI   (25).

In one embodiment, the property match application 440 comprises aproperty analysis unit 449. In one example implementation, the propertyanalysis unit 449 functions as a geographic region/multiple propertiesanalysis tool for determining potential health issues associated with aparticular geographical area.

In another example implementation, the property analysis unit 449functions as a property default risk calculator tool for predicting,based in part on group profiles for regional populations, regional andindividual risks of property default, based on property, banking andmortgage data. If a property match score indicates that a property ofinterest to a user is compatible with the user, a bank is more likely toprovide a loan to the user for use in purchasing the property.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example process 620 for obtaining informationused in determining a property match score, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. In process block 621, select one or moreinitial screening questions, present the selected initial screeningquestions, and obtain user responses to the selected initial screeningquestions. In one embodiment, the selected initial screening questionsare selected from a question bank 265F (FIG. 4).

In process block 622, select one or more sensitivity questions, presentthe selected sensitivity questions, and obtain user responses to theselected sensitivity questions. In one embodiment, the selectedsensitivity questions are selected from a question bank 265H (FIG. 4).

In process block 623, select one or more user behavioral questions,present the selected user behavioral questions, and obtain userresponses to the selected user behavioral questions. In one embodiment,the selected user behavioral questions are selected from a question bank265D (FIG. 3).

In process block 624, select one or more personal impact questions,present the selected personal impact questions, and obtain userresponses to the selected personal impact questions. In one embodiment,the selected personal impact questions are selected from a question bank265K (FIG. 4).

The order of process blocks 621-624 may change; any one of the processblocks may lead to any other one of the process blocks.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example algorithm 443 applied by the propertymatch calculator unit 441 to determine a property match score, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The property matchcalculator unit 443 computes a property match score based on userresponses to different subsets of questions selected from the collection264, such as a first subset of initial screening questions selected fromthe question bank 265F, a second subset of sensitivity questionsselected from the question bank 265H, a third subset of user behavioralquestions selected from the question bank 265D, and a fourth subset ofpersonal impact questions selected from the question bank 265K.

For each subset, one or more questions N of the subset are assigned anamplification factor. The value of each question N may differ based onpotential impact (i.e., severity) that the question N has in influencingan overall value of a parameter corresponding to a pollutant. A valuemay be defined for each question N, and the question N may be factoredinto the calculation of more than one parameter (i.e., may be factoredinto the calculation of different parameters for different pollutant s).For example, for each parameter (e.g., Parameter 1, Parameter 2,Parameter 3, Parameter 4), the value of each question N factored intothe calculation of the parameter is summed. The overall value of eachparameter is then summated as a value V for the subset (e.g., V5 for thefirst subset, V6 for the second subset, V7 for the third subset, V8 forthe fourth subset), and the value V is applied an amplification factorrepresenting the potential impact (i.e., severity) of the subset on thehealth of a mean population demographic. Furthermore, the overall valueof each parameter may be amplified on a pollutant basis such that theoverall value of any one parameter corresponding to a pollutant does notoverly influence the property score. Finally, each amplified value V issummated, and the resulting sum represents the property match score.

The number of parameters may be variable.

Property Health Advice Application

FIG. 15 illustrates an example property health advice application 450,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment,one of the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is a property health advice application 450.Approximately 35% of illnesses are attributable to airborne pollutantsthat swirl around in the air inside properties.

The property health advice application 450 may be used to model anindoor environment to predict changing health conditions. The propertyhealth advice application 450 is configured to model an ecosystem withinan indoor air environment of a property to predict when conditionswithin the property become detrimental to human health.

The property health advice application 450 provides property healthadvice in real-time on how a user may interact with the ecosystem of theproperty for better health, such as providing recommended actions forthe user to take to reduce impact on his/her health. For example, theproperty health advice may comprise user behavioral advice includingsuggested remediation actions and/or interventions for a user to takewith respect to the property to reduce impact on his/her health.

The property health advice application 450 predicts when the ecosystemof the property changes in ways that stress human health, such as whenpollutants harbored within places like wall cavities, crawlspaces,attics and other interstitial spaces and carpets become more activewhich in turn puts pressure on an occupant's health. The ecosystem ofthe property represents the biology of the property; when the biology ofthe property changes, occupants of the property may get sick. Theproperty health advice application 450 predicts when the biology of theproperty changes and how a user may intervene.

The property health advice application 450 comprises a health-o-meterunit 452 configured to analyze property attributes of a property andeffects of the local climate and outdoor air on the property. To improvethe analysis, a user may be presented with questions selected from thecollection 264 (e.g., property attributes questions and sensitivityquestions). The property health advice application 450 comprises anadaptive question selection unit 453 for adaptively selecting questionsfrom the collection 264. The property health advice application 450 mayalso draw on factors/indexes used in determining a property score and aproperty match score.

The property health advice application 450 comprises a monitor unit 451for monitoring local climatic changes to predict daily and hourlychanges in the indoor environment that could lead to stress (impact) onthe user's health. The health-o-meter unit 452 then provides, inreal-time, health advice that suggest actions and/or interventions forthe user to take that will lead to reductions of pollutants within theproperty as the weather or climatic conditions change. The user may beto provide user feedback on the outcome of the actions and/orinterventions. The user feedback will be used to further refine andimprove the intelligence of the health-o-meter unit 452. Users can trackthe actions that they have taken and see those collected in reports andgraphs. The user may pull up a report with graphs and data on theintervention actions they have taken to date, the projected impact andtheir self-reported impact to track their actions over time. This graphshould also contain any larger remediation actions they have done(remodeling, changing air ducts, removing carpeting, etc.) that havebeen completed, i.e., any actions recommended in a score or matchreport. Users can now visualize the impact of their actions over time.The sense of accomplishment encourages them to continue on.

The health-o-meter unit 452 may also provide preventative advice inadvance of climatic cycles, advice to manage risk during cycles, and howto monitor for as well as ward off new problems that could develop afterthe cycle is complete. The health-o-meter unit 452 may also provideseasonal tips.

In one embodiment, the property health advice application 450 comprisesa health advice report unit 455 for generating a health advice reportthat includes customized health advice for a user. A health advicereport may be presented to a user via a website 295.

The property health advice application 450 comprises a notificationsunit 454 configured to send notifications of health advice through text,email or any other electronic method depending on user preference andurgency of the health advice. Users can delay or set reminders foractions, following notifications. They can also report whether they didthe action through a number of methods, including directs responses tonotifications.

In one embodiment, the health-o-meter unit 452 provides health advicebased in part on health events reported by a user. The application 450may also interface with a health app that is already tracking healthevents of the user. These health events will be correlated to furtherpersonalize health advice. The health-o-meter unit 452 will map bothcycles effecting the ecosystem of the property along with user reportedhealth events and vital statistics.

The property health advice application 450 comprises a maintenance unit456 configured to track when property health related maintenanceroutines/tasks needs to be performed, such as replacing filters on HVAC,air purifiers, water filters, duct cleaning, etc. The maintenance unit456 will have the capacity to prompt a user for when other propertyhealth related maintenance routines/tasks needs to be performed, likechanging the filters on the vacuum.

In one embodiment, the property health advice application 450extracts/determines a property attribute data (e.g., pattern relating toa property attribute) from property data associated with a propertyarea. The property health advice application 450 combines the propertyattribute data with at least one other property attribute data todetermine presence or movement of a pollutant data (e.g., patternrelating to a pollutant) within the property area. The property healthadvice application 450 monitors environmental context of the propertyarea and detects a change affecting the environmental context of theproperty area. If the property health advice application 450 detects achange that impacts the presence or the movement of the pollutant datawithin the property area, the property health advice application 450provides a recommendation for reducing the impact of the detectedchange.

Table 13 below provides an example health advice report generated by theproperty health advice application 450 in response to real-time changesin climate.

TABLE 13 Sample Real Time Climatic Advice Climatic conditions haveshifted causing the ecosystem in your house to stress your system. Werecommend opening a few windows in each room to mildly flush the housewith fresh outdoor air. Outdoor climatic conditions have high pollutionand pollen. Based on your reported sensitivities we recommend keepingyour doors and windows closed and filtering your air either by runningyour forced air in ventilation mode providing it has a MERV 13 filter orbetter installed and/or running your air purifiers. Climatic conditionshave shifted suddenly and forcefully. Open all doors and windows for anaggressive flush for one hour. Best to leave the property during thishour to clear the air. Families with properties like yours in these kindof climatic shifts report nasal congestion 60% of the time which leadsto sinus infections 40% of the time. Families who intervene by flushingthe air report no adverse health effect 90% of the time.

Table 14 below provides an example sequence of notifications generatedand sent by the property health advice application 450 over time inresponse to real-time changes in weather.

TABLE 14 Weather Event Advice Preemptory [First notification sent inadvance of upcoming weather event] Heavy Rains are coming. Insure yourgutters are clean, drains around the property are unobstructed and theroof is clean. Concurrent [Second notification generated and sent duringthe weather event] Rains have subsided. Be aware of wet spots in thehouse. Look into your crawlspace to insure there is no standing water.Post Event [Third notification generated and sent after the weatherevent] It is now a day later, be weary of any wet damp odors. Those willindicate leaks within the walls, roof or floor that will likely lead tobiological growth. If these are cleaned up and dried within 24 hours youwill avert health threats and expensive cleanup after the fact.

In one embodiment, the property health advice application 450 comprisesa property health analysis unit 459. In one example implementation, theproperty health analysis unit 459 functions as a population healthanalysis tool for providing health maps, suggestions and insights forhospital, governments, insurance agencies and other entities. Thepopulation health analysis tool may be used to predict issues, such asflu outbreaks, pest infestations, magnitude of population level healthissues, etc.

In another example implementation, the property health analysis unit 459functions as a disaster response planner tool for assisting disasterrelief organizations and agencies, such as FEMA and the Red Cross, inpredicting and responding to disaster-related events, such as floods.

Health Insurance Correlation Application

FIG. 16 illustrates an example health insurance correlation application460, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In oneembodiment, one of the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating onthe server devices 210 (FIG. 1) is a health advice application 460.Approximately 35% of illnesses are attributable to airborne pollutantsthat swirl around in the air inside properties. The health insurancecorrelation application 460 comprises a correlation unit 461 and ahealth records unit 462 that may be used at the direction of healthinsurance companies to process and correlate thousands of healthinsurance records with property attributes of insured record holders inorder to predict patterns of disease and symptomology that are aprobable result of a property of an insured record holder.

In one embodiment, the health insurance correlation application 460 mayimplement certain firewalls to maintain HIPPA confidentiality.

In one embodiment, the correlation unit 461 will correlate disease codesin each health insurance record with the analytics implemented by theproperty score application 420 based on public data for propertiesoccupied by insured record holders.

To improve the analysis, an insured record holder may be presented withquestions selected from the collection 264 (e.g., property attributesquestions and sensitivity questions). Insurance companies have theoption to request that insured record holders respond to sensitivity anduser behavior questions, allowing individualization of interventionstrategies and projected costs. The health insurance correlationapplication 460 comprises an adaptive question selection unit 464 foradaptively selecting questions from the collection 264. For example, ifthe property is a school, students of the school may be asked to rateindoor air quality of the school and other questions to determine theattributes and climatic conditions affecting the school. Image data ofthe school may also be obtained to improve the analysis. The accuracy ofthe data may also be improved when an insured record holder submits DNA,micro biome or blood test data to be analyzed.

If indoor exposures are indicated as probable/correlated cause ofdisease and symptomology pattern, but the insured record holder'sproperty does not appear to be high risk, the record holder's place ofwork, school or other dominant place where he/she spends significanttime may be analyzed next using the health insurance correlationapplication 460.

In one embodiment, the correlation unit 461 uses machine learning toextract, collate, and analyze data from personal profiles, propertyscores, and health insurance records to identify correlations amongdisease codes, medical symptoms, medical histories and conditions ofcurrent (or prior) properties. The correlation unit 461 searches forpossible correlations for a particular insured record holder startingfrom elements that have the highest known correlation with diseases anddisease codes. The correlation unit 461 evaluates correlations whichinclude, but are not limited to, the following: (1) disease codes andhistory to personal susceptibility for exposure to biologicals,chemicals, pets, and particles, (2) symptomology history andprescriptions to amplification factors over time (such as windy or humidclimates), and (3) correlation between total burden on the insuredrecord holder and cost of health insurance claims over the next year.

For example, the correlation unit 461 may determine that asthma attacksfor children occupying a property have a 65% correlation to start within2 weeks from the start of biological activity in the property resultingfrom leaks, water events and cold fronts. As another example, thecorrelation unit 461 may determine that pollen seasons have a 90%correlation with decreased compliance in an insured record holder takingmedications as prescribed. As another example, the correlation unit 461may determine that an insured record holder is 10 points away frommoving to the next level on the total burden scale and their totalburden has recently risen; those who move up to this level on the totalburden scale typically cost $20K more per year in health insuranceclaims than those who remain at their current level (70% correlation).

In one embodiment, correlations determined by the correlation unit 461may be used to refine a property score, a property match score, apersonal profile and personal action plan, etc.

In one embodiment, the health insurance correlation application 460comprises a health insurance correlation report unit 463 for generatinga health insurance correlation report. A health insurance correlationreport may be presented to an insurance company via a website 295. Thehealth insurance correlation report may include a cost range of proposedinterventions so that the insurance company can correlate this potentialremedy with their actuary tables on the cost to insure. Additionally,the insurance company can provide the insured record holder thecorrelation and intervention cost so that the insured record holder canmake a decision as to whether the cost is a worthy expense to improvehis/her quality of life. The website 295 may include a web portal tocertified contractors who can perform the recommend interventions.

In one embodiment, the health insurance correlation application 460extracts/determines a property attribute data (e.g., pattern relating toa property attribute) from property data associated with a propertyarea. The property health advice application 450 combines the propertyattribute data with at least one other property attribute data todetermine presence or movement of a pollutant data (e.g., patternrelating to a pollutant) within the property area. The health insurancecorrelation application 460 determines a potential impact data (e.g.,pattern relating to personal impact) that the pollutant data may have onindividual health based in part on the combination, collects a healthrecord of a user associated with the property, and determines acorrelation between the health record and the potential impact data.

Table 15 below provides an example health insurance correlation reportgenerated by the health insurance correlation application 460.

TABLE 15 Asthma Insured has been to the emergency room 3 times this yearfor asthma attacks. Insured's property has a property score of 62 andcombination of property attributes that correlate with asthma attacks78% of the time. Recommendation: Insured responds to questions (e.g.,personal sensitivity questions) to improve probability of correlation.Follow-up report [Generated in response to the insured responding toquestions]: The following interventions [list of suggested actionsprovided] in properties with this pattern of property attributes andclimate have reduced emergency room visits for 68% of insuredindividuals with disease and symptomology patterns like yours.

Table 16 below provides another example health insurance correlationreport generated by the health insurance correlation application 460.

TABLE 16 Chronic Sinus Infections Insured has a history of chronic sinusinfections. Insured's property has a property score of 50 with a highmold risk index for the property. Additionally, the timing of infectioncorrelates with local weather patterns that lead to fungal activitywithin properties in this climate. These patterns correlate with 80%likelihood that many of these sinus infections are caused by theproperty. Recommendation: Insured responds to questions (e.g., personalsensitivity and symptoms questions) to improve probability ofcorrelation. Follow-up report [Generated in response to the insuredresponding to questions]: The following interventions [list of suggestedactions provided] has reduced pattern of sinus infections by 60% withinpatients with these characteristics 80% of the time.

In one embodiment, the health insurance correlation application 460comprises a health insurance correlation analysis unit 469. In oneexample implementation, the health insurance correlation analysis unit469 functions as a geographic region/multiple properties analysis toolfor determining potential health issues associated with a particulargeographical area.

In another example implementation, the health insurance correlationanalysis unit 469 functions as a health insurance coverage assessor toolfor predicting cost of insuring groups with particular types ofproperties.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example algorithm 465 applied by the correlationunit 461 to determine health insurance correlations, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. The algorithm 465 includes variablesdetermined using algorithms 425 and 443, as described above.

Crowdsourcing Application

FIG. 18 illustrates an example crowdsourcing application 470, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, oneof the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is a crowdsourcing application 470. Thecrowdsourcing application 470 comprises crowdsourcing tools 472 forcrowdsourcing information associated with a property (e.g., commercialand public buildings such as hotels, restaurants, schools, gyms,offices, theaters, apartments, and churches) from a community of users.The crowdsourcing tools 472 includes one or more virtual tools throughwhich one or more users may provide user feedback (e.g., ratings orscores) relating to air quality of the property. The crowdsourcing tools472 may provide the user provided input for public viewing via a website295. Users may visit the website 295 to provide user feedback about aparticular property and/or view user feedback submitted by other users.This enables a user to factor into user feedback from other users whendetermining whether or not to frequent/visit the property. The users maybe business travelers, parents, school children, teachers, office andservice workers, restaurant patrons, etc.

In one embodiment, the website 295 includes a score submission webpagefor receiving user feedback from users. The score submission webpagecomprises a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes a submissionform for users to rate air quality of a particular property on apredetermined scale. For example, a user may rate the air quality on ascale of 1 star to 5 stars, wherein 1 star represents a lowest degree ofair quality (i.e., the air quality is dirty and/or harmful), and wherein5 stars represents a highest degree of quality (i.e., the air quality isclean). The score submission webpage may also prompt a user to describehow the property makes them feel, and include an input text box that theuser may use to enter qualitative comments relating to the property.Users may also submit photos and/or videos of the property.

The crowdsourcing application 470 comprises a property air qualitycalculator unit 471 for determining a property score for air quality ofa property based on user feedback received, via the website 295, fromone or more users, climate data about the environment around theproperty, and/or public data about the property and its construction.The property score determined may be displayed on the website 295together with some of the user feedback received. In one embodiment, thewebsite 295 provides a summary of the input feedback received, andpresents the summary with top insights and highlights indicating themost frequently mentioned feelings, complaints, or positives associatedwith the air quality of the property.

The crowdsourcing tools 472 includes one or more tools configured tosuggest improvements to an owner of the property. For example, an owneroperating a business on a particular property that has received inputfeedback may visit the website, and, upon indicating that the owner isassociated with the property, submit additional information relating tothe property. Based on the additional information submitted and theproperty score, the crowdsourcing system may provide one or morerecommendations for improving the air quality of the property, costsestimates and return-on-investment (ROI) estimates for the improvements.Improving the air quality of the property based on the recommendationssuggested may help improve customer experience of the business andrevenues of the business.

To improve the analysis, users may be presented with questions selectedfrom the collection 264 (e.g., property attributes questions andsensitivity questions). The crowdsourcing application 470 comprises anadaptive question selection unit 474 for adaptively selecting questionsfrom the collection 264. For example, additional information related tothe property may be obtained from an owner operating a business on theproperty by presenting one or more property attributes questions to theowner.

In one embodiment, the crowdsourcing application 470 comprises aproperty air quality report unit 473 for generating a property airquality report. The property air quality report may include one or morerecommendations for improving the air quality of the property, costsestimates and return-on-investment (ROI) estimates for the improvements.A recommendation may be a suggested intervention or a suggested actionthat the owner may take to improve the air quality of the property. Theproperty air quality report may also include, if available, an estimatedimpact each recommendation has on the property score of the property, aswell as impacts on the customer/user experience and business revenue.The reports and recommendations are based on correlations betweenproperty attributes of the property, input feedback received,environmental factors and results of past interventions that the ownerhad taken.

Table 17 below provides an example property air quality report generatedby the crowdsourcing application 470.

TABLE 17 Building has a commonly reported musty smell and a rating of 63out of 100. This is in the bottom 40% of buildings. Based on thefeelings of fatigue and sinus congestion reported by users, images ofmoldy basement, high frequency of water leaks in the building and pastflooding in the area, there is a . . . % likelihood that there is moldyair circulating throughout the building - not just the basement.Typically, this issue leads to a drop in a building air quality score by. . . points and has a 80% correlation with 25% lower foot trafficthrough the building. Around 30% of the population is sensitive to damp,wet building exposure and may experience the following symptoms while inthe building - uncomfortable with odors, loss of motivation, congestion,burning eyes, mild stomach pain, foggy thinking Here are interventionsthat can be taken to address the issues with a typical cost range forthe intervention and the improvements that were seen by the building Inyour area, previous owners who have employed contractors to intervenehave rated the contractors as follows . . .

In one embodiment, the crowdsourcing tools 472 provides a collectiveaction platform that facilitates collaboration among a community ofusers with regards to improving air quality of a property, such that anowner of a business being operated on the property is not the only onewith a say with regards to improvement. The collective action platform,for example, may be utilized by a community of users attending aparticular school, a particular office, or a particular library. Thecommunity of users may come together to advocate for one or more changesin improving the air quality of the property. The website may provide asuite of collaboration tools, such as a discussion forum where differentusers can post comments and discuss issues relating to the property,form message threads for sharing tips relating to the property, andupload videos and/or photos related to the property. On the discussionforum, users may also create and support different causes for specificimprovements to the property that users care about. Users may help grouporganize, advocate for changes or contribute funding to a cause. A usermay contribute to funds for a cause using a third-party site, such asKickstarter or a trusted financial partner.

In one embodiment, the crowdsourcing tools 472 can allow users of thecommunity to indicate who their health insurance carrier/provider is,such that the crowdsourcing tools 472 can determine how many users havehealth insurance with the same carrier/provider, and provide thecarrier/provider with an estimate of total health costs incurred as aresult of the air quality of the property.

The collective action platform may provide resource tools, such asarticles, website links, scientific studies and an advocacy tool kitwith literature, best practices for change, and cases studies that showthe ROI, cost and impact of past building interventions. The resourcetools may include a webpage listing different partnerships (e.g., ahealth department, insurance companies, etc.) that help advocate forchange. If an insurance company observes a high prevalence of sinusinfections by users at a particular property (e.g., a school), theinsurance company may become an ally in funding or supporting changes atthe property for improving air quality at the property.

In one embodiment, a user of the discussion forum may be assigned therole of a community manager. The community manager monitors forumdiscussions and comments, and may collaborate with causes or set upcontacts between partners and community groups, as appropriate.

Contractor Recommendation Application

FIG. 19 illustrates an example contractor recommendation application480, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In oneembodiment, one of the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating onthe server devices 210 (FIG. 1) is a contractor recommendationapplication 480. The contractor recommendation application 480 comprisescrowdsourcing tools 482 including a web portal for contractor referrals.The web portal may also receive user feedback relating to differentcontractors from owners who have engaged the contractors' services. Forexample, an owner may rate and/or comment on service quality of acontractor, and other owners may review the rating and/or commentprovided. Business owners who want access to contractors others thanthose specifically recommended to them can search a certified contractordatabase by location, contractor rating, contractor popularity,intervention options offered, price and more. Users may list thecontractors they used in their area to perform work and submit what theypaid as well as their satisfaction with the services performed. The webportal provides a contractor referral network and collects a compilationof market prices as provided by users self-reporting costs. Thecontractor recommendation application 480 also maintains a database ofdifferent certified contractors.

The contractor recommendation application 480 comprises a contractormatch unit 481 configured to, based on a location of a property andinformation identifying specific interventions or actions needed toimprove the property and budget, time, or other constraints andpreferences of the user (e.g., price preferences), generaterecommendations identifying contractors that can perform theinterventions or actions identified within the budget constraints. Toimprove the analysis, users may be presented with questions selectedfrom the collection 264 (e.g., property attributes questions andsensitivity questions). The contractor recommendation application 480comprises an adaptive question selection unit 484 for adaptivelyselecting questions from the collection 264.

The contractor recommendation application 480 comprises a contractorrecommendation report unit 483 for generating a contractorrecommendation report including recommendations identifying contractorsthat can perform interventions or actions within particular budgetconstraints.

Virtual Inspection Application

FIG. 20 illustrates an example virtual inspection application 490, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, oneof the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is a virtual inspection application 490. Thevirtual inspection application 490 provides a standardized set ofinstructions for capturing images/videos (e.g., photographs) of physicalattributes of a property to facilitate a virtual inspection or userinspection (guided based on the instructions) of the property.

The images/videos captured may be used to determine property informationrelating to the property, such as key physical attributes, proximity,and environmental context information. The virtual inspectionapplication 490 may generate a custom set of instructions for capturingimages/videos of particular areas of interest of the property, whereinthe areas of interest are based on the property information and/or othersources of information relating to the property (e.g., property score,personal profile, health insurance information, etc.). The areas ofinterest may represent suspected high risk areas, such as areas that arelikely to affect health of an occupant of the property.

An example area of interest may include an area of the property wherewater staining or warping of walls and/or flooring is detected,indicating water damage and/or dampness indoors. Water damage and/ordampness indoors is likely to affect occupants who are sensitive tobiological amplification, including mold growth.

Another example area of interest may include an area of the propertywhere dust and/or debris is visible (e.g., on carpets), air filters, andair ducts. Accumulation of a particulate (typically composed ofmultiple, complex substances), is likely to affect occupants withheightened sensitivity/reactivity to dust, pollen, pet dander, and otherirritants and asthmagens.

In one embodiment of the invention, a property score determined by theproperty score application 420 may be used to identify areas of interestin the property. The areas of interest may include areas of the propertywith sources of exposure to pollutants, such as attic, basement,fireplace, crawlspace, water features, and, external sources ofpollutants such as restaurants, factories, highways, dry cleaners, inclose proximity to the property. For example, an attic with visiblewater damage or a crawlspace where the HVAC is located could posesubstantial risk for susceptible individuals. As another example, aproperty located within proximity and downwind of a dry cleaningbusiness could be at risk for an individual who is chemicallyintolerant.

In one embodiment of the invention, health insurance data for one ormore occupants of a property may be used to identify areas of interestin the property. The health insurance data may include informationidentifying reported illnesses, syndromes and healthsensitivities/reactivities of the occupants. Based on the healthinsurance data, areas of interest may include areas and conditions ofthe property that are likely to contribute to the reported illnesses,syndromes, and health sensitivities/reactivities of the occupants.

The virtual inspection application 490 comprises an adaptive questionselection unit 494 for adaptively selecting questions from thecollection 264.

In one embodiment of the invention, a personal profile for one or moreoccupants of a property may be used to identify areas of interest in theproperty.

For example, if health insurance data for an occupant of the propertyindicates that the occupant has asthma and sinus infections thatcorrelate with windy days and pollen, the photo-based inspection systemmay provide an additional set of instructions for capturing additionalimages of sealants around windows and/or doors of the property. Thecondition of sealants around windows and/or doors of the property maysuggest how “leaky” the property is and may amplify the impact that windin the area of the property may have on the occupant.

The virtual inspection application 490 comprises an image/videorecognition and correlation unit 491. Using a machine learningalgorithm, the image/video recognition and correlation unit 491 learnsover time, which images/videos captured are most likely to correlatewith recommendations that an expert adjusts for a personal action planor a property match score. The image/video recognition and correlationunit 491 can, over time, learn which images/videos are most likely tohave an impact on recommendations, such that instructions for capturingimages that have the highest likelihood of impacting recommendations arerequested.

The virtual inspection application 490 may request additionalimages/videos capturing unusual property features or systems, areassuspected by the occupants of involvement with their experience, areasbased on expert judgment, areas previously fixed that indicate pastproblems inadequately addressed, occupant behaviors that may alter theconditions of the indoor environment.

In one embodiment, a property score for a property and/orrecommendations for improving the property score may be refined usingimages requested by the virtual inspection application 490. For example,the virtual inspection application 490 may provide a set ofinstructions, via a website 295 accessible to the user, for capturingimages and/or video of interior and/or exterior areas of the property.

In one embodiment, the virtual inspection application 490 comprises anexpert consultation unit 492 that allows one or more consultationexperts to make observations regarding physical attributes of theproperty based on the images and/or videos captured. A consultationexpert may be a trained in-house specialist. The expert consultationunit 492 may also facilitate live consultation between a user and aconsultation expert. The consultation may be pre-arranged for apre-determined fee (e.g., an hourly rate).

The virtual inspection application 490 comprises an inspection reportunit 493 for generating an inspection report including recommendations.In one embodiment, an inspection report is provided in exchange for afee paid by the user.

In one embodiment, the virtual inspection application 490 identifies anarea of interest of a property area based on property data associatedwith the property area. The area of interest identified represents apotential area of the property area that may negatively impact health ofa user. The virtual inspection application 490 provides the user aninstruction for capturing image data relating to the area of interestidentified, receiving the image data from the user, andextracts/determines a property attribute data (i.e., pattern relating toa property attribute) from the image data. The virtual inspectionapplication 490 combines the property attribute data with at least oneother property attribute data to determine presence or movement of apollutant data (e.g., pattern relating to a pollutant) within theproperty area.

Table 18 below provides an example inspection report generated by thevirtual inspection application 490.

TABLE 18 Sample Buyer Report:   80% of properties like this typicallyhave poor indoor air quality, a condition that results in negativeimpact on occupant health.   Stucco Walls in this climate with signs oflandscaping sprinklers hitting the wall on the shaded side of the househave high risk of biological growth inside the wall cavities. The twonortheastern walls shown in this picture should be investigated. Typicalcost to repair this kind of problem ranges from $3,000-$20,000.   Thisproperty was built in 1938. The paint around the windows appears to beoriginal. It is highly likely to contain lead paint. Remediation orencapsulation needs to be done. Typical cost in your area is$1,000-$3,000.   Properties with basements in this climate negativelyimpact occupant health 50% of the time. This basement shows signs ofmoisture intrusion in photo #3. That increases likelihood to 80%.Typical costs to remediate and repair range from $3,000 to $15,000 inyour area   Cat is living in the house. You indicated you are sensitiveto cats. Effective remediation would require painting to encapsulateexisting dander on the wall, removal of the carpet, and cleaning theduct work to reduce risk of impact on you. Typical cost in your area is$3,000-5,000.

Table 19 below provides another example inspection report generated bythe virtual inspection application 490.

TABLE 19 Sample Occupant Report Based on the characteristics of yourproperty and your answers about how the house has impacted you werecommend the following interventions prioritized by what has proven tobe the highest efficacy when applied to properties with similarcharacteristics and climate conditions to yours. 1.   Data -    Yourproperty is 10 years old and the photo #4 provide of the furnace appearsto show it is of the same age. You have a crawlspace and the ductstravel through the crawlspace. 10 year old ducts typically leak and drawcrawlspace air into the property. You answered that your typicallysneeze when the furnace comes on. Solution    We recommend cleaning andsealing the duct work as a minimum. It would be better to replace it. Werecommend air sealing between the crawlspace and the property as well assealing the dirt floor of the crawlspace with a layer of poly asoutlined. 80% of people who own properties with characteristics likeyours report significant improvements in how they feel afterimplementing this strategy.    Crawlspace Air Sealing - Click this link   Crawlspace Floor Sealing - Click this link    How to hire a localinstaller - Click to see video.

Investment Risk Application

FIG. 21 illustrates an example investment risk application 800, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, oneof the applications 410 (FIG. 2) executing/operating on the serverdevices 210 (FIG. 1) is an investment risk application 800. Theinvestment risk application 800 comprises an investment risk comparisonunit 801 configured to compare property scores and/or property matchscores for multiple properties, and provide an estimated cost ofimprovements for each property. The comparison allows a prospectivebuyer to compare purchase costs for each property against an estimatedcost of improvements for the property.

In one embodiment, the investment risk application 800 comprises anadaptive question selection unit 804 for adaptively selecting questionsfrom the collection 264.

In one embodiment, the investment risk application 800 comprises aweightings unit 802. The weightings units 802 comprises, but is notlimited to, the following: (a) different weighting values for differentattributes, factors or indexes, (b) different prevalence values fordifferent attributes, factors or indexes, and (c) data representinginterrelationships between different attributes, factors or indexes.

The investment risk application 800 comprises an investment riskcomparison report unit 803 for generating an investment risk comparisonreport. FIG. 22 illustrates an example investment risk comparison report850, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a high level block diagram showing an information processingsystem 300 useful for implementing one embodiment of the invention. Thecomputer system includes one or more processors, such as processor 302.The processor 302 is connected to a communication infrastructure 304(e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network).

The computer system can include a display interface 306 that forwardsgraphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 304(or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit 308.The computer system also includes a main memory 310, preferably randomaccess memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 312. Thesecondary memory 312 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 314and/or a removable storage drive 316, representing, for example, afloppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, or an optical disk drive. Theremovable storage drive 316 reads from and/or writes to a removablestorage unit 318 in a manner well known to those having ordinary skillin the art. Removable storage unit 318 represents, for example, a floppydisk, a compact disc, a magnetic tape, or an optical disk, etc. which isread by and written to by removable storage drive 316. As will beappreciated, the removable storage unit 318 includes a computer readablemedium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

In alternative embodiments, the secondary memory 312 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into the computer system. Such means may include, for example, aremovable storage unit 320 and an interface 322. Examples of such meansmay include a program package and package interface (such as that foundin video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, orPROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 320 andinterfaces 322, which allows software and data to be transferred fromthe removable storage unit 320 to the computer system.

The computer system may also include a communication interface 324.Communication interface 324 allows software and data to be transferredbetween the computer system and external devices. Examples ofcommunication interface 324 may include a modem, a network interface(such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, or a PCMCIA slot andcard, etc. Software and data transferred via communication interface 324are in the form of signals which may be, for example, electronic,electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received bycommunication interface 324. These signals are provided to communicationinterface 324 via a communication path (i.e., channel) 326. Thiscommunication path 326 carries signals and may be implemented using wireor cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link,and/or other communication channels.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention. The computer readable storage medium can be atangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by aninstruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium maybe, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, amagnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagneticstorage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specificexamples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following:a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM),a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory(EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), aportable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatiledisk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded devicesuch as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

From the above description, it can be seen that the present inventionprovides a system, computer program product, and method for implementingthe embodiments of the invention. The present invention further providesa non-transitory computer-usable storage medium for implementing theembodiments of the invention. The non-transitory computer-useablestorage medium has a computer-readable program, wherein the program uponbeing processed on a computer causes the computer to implement the stepsof the present invention according to the embodiments described herein.References in the claims to an element in the singular is not intendedto mean “one and only” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described exemplary embodiment that are currently known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended tobe encompassed by the present claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixthparagraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase“means for” or “step for.”

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generating a dynamic recommendationbased on changes in environment around a property area, the methodcomprising: acquiring property data associated with a property area froma data source; extracting a first property attribute data from theproperty data acquired, wherein the first property attribute dataextracted is used to determine presence or movement of a first pollutantdata within the property area; monitoring environmental context of theproperty area; detecting a change affecting the environmental context ofthe property area, wherein the detected change impacts the presence orthe movement of the first pollutant data within the property area; andproviding a recommendation for reducing the impact of the detectedchange.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring environmentalcontext of the property comprises monitoring climate data for theproperty.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommendation isprovided as a notification.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thenotification is one of the following: a text message, an e-mail, an appnotification.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising modeling anecosystem within the property area to predict when conditions within theproperty area become detrimental to individual health.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the recommendation comprises a user action and/orintervention on how an occupant of the property area may interact withthe ecosystem for improved health.
 7. The method of claim 5, whereinmonitoring environmental context of the property comprises identifying areal-time or predicted change affecting the ecosystem.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: maintaining a collection of multiplequestions; selecting a question from the collection; generating agraphical user interface (GUI) for display, wherein the GUI includes theselected question; and receiving user input including a user response tothe selected question; wherein the recommendation is based in part onthe user input.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein selecting a questionfrom the collection comprises adaptively selecting a question from thecollection based in part on at least one of the following: the propertydata acquired, and prior user input received.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising: providing health maps for specific populations. 11.The method of claim 1, further comprising: assisting disaster relieforganizations and agencies in predicting and responding todisaster-related events.
 12. A system comprising a computer processor, acomputer-readable hardware storage medium, and program code embodiedwith the computer-readable hardware storage medium for execution by thecomputer processor to implement a method for generating a dynamicrecommendation based on changes in environment around a property area,the method comprising: acquiring property data associated with aproperty area from a data source; extracting a first property attributedata from the property data acquired, wherein the first propertyattribute data extracted is used to determine presence or movement of afirst pollutant data within the property area; monitoring environmentalcontext of the property area; detecting a change affecting theenvironmental context of the property area, wherein the detected changeimpacts the presence or the movement of the first pollutant data withinthe property area; and providing a recommendation for reducing theimpact of the detected change.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinmonitoring environmental context of the property comprises monitoringclimate data for the property.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein therecommendation is provided as a notification.
 15. The system of claim14, wherein the notification is one of the following: a text message, ane-mail, an app notification.
 16. The system of claim 12, furthercomprising modeling an ecosystem within the property area to predictwhen conditions within the property area become detrimental toindividual health.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein therecommendation comprises a user action and/or intervention on how anoccupant of the property area may interact with the ecosystem forimproved health.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein monitoringenvironmental context of the property comprises identifying a real-timeor predicted change affecting the ecosystem.
 19. A computer programproduct comprising a computer-readable hardware storage medium havingprogram code embodied therewith, the program code being executable by acomputer to implement a method for generating a dynamic recommendationbased on changes in environment around a property area, the methodcomprising: acquiring property data associated with a property area froma data source; extracting a first property attribute data from theproperty data acquired, wherein the first property attribute dataextracted is used to determine presence or movement of a first pollutantdata within the property area; monitoring environmental context of theproperty area; detecting a change affecting the environmental context ofthe property area, wherein the detected change impacts the presence orthe movement of the first pollutant data within the property area; andproviding a recommendation for reducing the impact of the detectedchange.
 20. The program product of claim 19, wherein monitoringenvironmental context of the property comprises monitoring climate datafor the property.